//------------------------------// // Architecture and Curried Oat Cakes // Story: Stars and Scripts // by mr lovecolt //------------------------------// “The ultimate goal of the architect is to create a paradise. Every house, every product of architecture, should be a fruit of our endeavor to build an earthly paradise for ponies.” Star Bright removed his hoof from the button as the pre-recorded message ended. Together, he and Roseluck turned towards the center of the room. Unlike the other wings of the museum, which were bathed in light, the Akhal Aalto exhibit was shrouded in shadows, the only sources of light coming from sconces hanging above each photograph and blueprint, with a few spotlights dangling above the models of the stallion’s work in the center of the room. He saw Silver Script and Derpy standing by a photograph of one of the architect’s blueprints, their head cocked in either direction. He then noticed the guard standing by the exit of the exhibition. “So how has the week been?” Roseluck asked. “Grueling,” he replied with a sigh. “I have three interviews this evening before the ceremony.” “You’d think they would have stretched them throughout the day,” Roseluck said, a hint of irritation in her voice. “Well, yeah,” Star Bright said as he scratched the back of his neck before glancing at his partner. “But at least it gives me a day to spend with Silver.” The two stopped in front of a blueprint with a placard stating that it was of a library. Star Bright’s attention was drawn from the bottom of the blueprint upward and outward, giving the building the impression of a seashell or a paper fan. “Speaking of Silver,” Roseluck said still staring at the blueprint. “He seems a bit… off.” She gently nudged him. “Is he all right?” Star Bright gulped. His eyes darted from one corner of the blueprint to the other. “He’s… had a tough week.” He chuckled. “Then again, I’m not really good company when I’m under stress.” “Oh, I’m sure you aren’t that bad.” The stallion’s thoughts went to the night before to when Silver Script threw up his wing as a barrier between them. He fought the urge to let a tear well up. “You’d be surprised.” The pair moved on to another exhibit in the corner of the room. A spotlight shone down on a pair of stools, but upon closer inspection, it was actually a group of stools stacked one on top of the other in a spiral formation. Each seat was of a different color, starting from violet at the bottom all the way to the flame red at the top. “But it’ll be over tonight,” Star Bright continued. “We just have to make it through today, and life will go back to normal.” He closed his eyes and smiled. “At least until Silver starts getting published.” “Oh for the love of—why would you bring that up?” He turned to Roseluck, who simply smiled and shrugged. “You’re the one who said he was about to get published.” Star Bright paused. “Did I?” The two trotted towards the next exhibit, though Star Bright noticed out of the corner of his eye how the two pegasi walked along the other side. He winced when he saw how Silver Script lowered his gaze as he passed the guard. He was so focused on his partner that he almost crashed into Roseluck. “Pony life is a combination of tragedy and comedy. The shapes and designs that surround us are the music accompanying this tragedy and this comedy.” Roseluck let go of the button on the wall as the pre-recorded script ended. The two stared at the nearby elevation drawing of a lopsided building. Star Bright began to regret coming to the exhibit. “You don’t need to worry, you know?” she said. “About what?” “About him forgetting you,” she replied. “I was right there on the altar with you two.” She pressed her head against his neck. “He knows you’ll be there for him, I can tell.” She began to snicker. “And you two are going to be nervous wrecks together.” “That’s… not helping.” “What matters is that I know you two will be together for each other,” she continued with a sly grin. “For the ups and the downs.” She glanced over to Silver Script. “Or, as he would say, to dance around the light and shade.” Star Bright glanced across the room, and his eyes locked with Silver Script. The two began to walk towards the center of the room, where all four ponies found themselves standing before a miniature structure titled Maretsalo Experimental House. They looked at one another in confusion until Derpy reached out and pressed a button. “Soon after the passing of his wife, Akhal Aalto began to design a summer getaway on the western shore of Maretsalo. Through the process of designing the house, it became an experimental study of materiality, construction, and philosophy.” Star Bright listened on as the recording spoke of the inspiration for the building, his attention moving from the model to blueprint and then to the interior photographs. Silvy would love a place like this, he thought as he imagined the two of them sitting by the courtyard firepit. “I don’t really care for it.” The unicorn snapped his attention to Silver Script, who looked on at the model with confusion. The mares also looked over to the stallion. “Oh?” he asked, chiding himself as he watched his partner’s ears fold back. “Don’t get me wrong,” Silver Script replied, his eyes darting between the three of them. “I know it’s supposed to be experimental, but it just looks like a bunch of different styles thrown together.” “So I guess you could say it has no… structure?” Derpy asked. The two pegasi chuckled at one another. “It’s the building equivalent of a free form poem,” he added. “On the contrary,” Star Bright said. “The primary experience of the experimental house comes via the courtyard enclosure, which is both the major defining spatial experience as well as the primary method of approach. Even the slanted roof and the proportions it creates gives an impression of direction towards the interior spaces, heading downward from the courtyard and into the interior.” Star Bright glanced at the group, but when saw their glazed eyes, his ears bent back. “I did it again, didn’t I?” “It’s fine. We know how you get when you’re excited.” Roseluck pointed at the model. “I actually really like the brickwork.” Star Bright looked down at the model once more, admiring the numerous and almost chaotic patterns. “Speaking of the brickwork,” he continued. “The large number of languages and materials of the exterior may seem confusing at first, but closer inspection reveals a rational, systematic component. Even the largely decorative trim of roof tile creates aesthetic continuity between the black roof and the red brick walls. The overall form of the structure, and the wooden members, give a hint of continuity with the context of tall thin trees and the sloping hills of surrounding area.” “The house is more of an exercise than an embodiment,” Roseluck replied. “Testing out ideas that might be used in more practical contexts.” “Yes,” Star Bright nodded in agreement. “Besides,” she continued. “It’s not like everypony can design a house in the first place.” “Unlike how anypony can write poetry?” The stallion looked up at Silver Script again, only to see the stallion casting a sideways glance towards Roseluck, an impish smile on his muzzle. “N-no, of course not!” Roseluck replied, wincing. “I didn’t mean to—” “No, it’s fine.” His smile widened. “I firmly believe that everypony can write poetry.” I get it,” Star Bright replied with a nod. “Everypony can do it, but only the good ones get published.” He had hoped his statement would earn him a smile from Silver Script. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed the moment his partner’s smile disappeared. Stupid, he thought, he’s still nervous about the letter. “Which I’m sure you will,” he added in an attempt to spare the stallion’s feelings. “Right,” Silver Script replied softly. Over by the exit, the guard cleared his throat loudly. Star Bright turned to him, and the stallion slowly nodded his head and then pointed a hoof towards the door. “Looks like we have a schedule to keep, everypony,” Star Bright said. “We’re about to grab a bite to eat. Care to join us?” “Oh no, we’re going to let you two have your alone time before this evening,” Derpy said. The mare trotted towards the exit, followed by Roseluck. Star Bright, however, didn’t move, but simply stared down at the model. I’m an idiot, he thought. Suddenly, he felt a pair of lips kiss his cheek. He glanced over and saw Silver Script staring back at him with a weak smile. As if he had broken a spell, Star Bright found himself able to move again, and he made his way to the exit, his partner by his side. *** The aroma of spices assaulted Star Bright’s nose as he entered the Tasty Treat. All around him, bright and vibrant colors caused him a near sensory overload—multi-colored banners hung from the ceiling, giving the restaurant the appeal of a circus tent. Saddle Arabian music blasted from the speakers. At least there aren’t too many ponies in here, he thought as Silver Script and the guard entered behind him. A mare emerged from the kitchen, a huge smile plastered on her muzzle. She immediately trotted up to them, menus floating next to her in her telekinetic grasp. “Welcome to The Tasty Treat,” she said. “I am Saffron Masala, and I will be your server this afternoon.” “I will wait in the back until you have finished,” the guard said as he made his way towards the kitchen entrance, where he struck a stoic pose at attention. The mare’s gaze followed the guard, her eyebrows raised. “Do I have the pleasure of serving a visiting dignitary?” she asked turning back to the couple. “Not really, I—” “Star Bright’s the one in the papers for discovering the new star,” Silver Script blurted, interrupting the stallion. The few patrons turned their heads, causing Star Bright to rub his leg against the other in embarrassment. Saffron gasped and immediately reached for his hoof to shake it. “Oh yes! Mister Star Bright! You are more than welcome here!” she shouted as she shook the stallion’s hoof. “Anything you want at The Tasty Treat, help yourselves!” She led the pair to a nearby table, her hoofsteps so excited they could be confused for pronking. The two stallions shrugged and followed the mare to the open table, where she immediately placed the menus in front of them. “So, I will just give you a few moments to—” “Oh, I know what I want!” Star Bright said excitedly. “Oh?” Saffron replied. “I never realized our restaurant was so popular that our menu was so well known.” She clapped her hooves together. “I shall always be grateful for those two.” “What two?” Silver Script asked. “Oh, nothing,” Saffron Masala replied. “You wouldn’t know them.” She pulled a pencil from her mane. “Shall I take your order?” “I need the curried oatcakes,” Star Bright said, giving his menu to the waitress. “And a lassi.” “Very well,” she replied with a slight smile before turning to Silver Script. “And for you, my pegasus friend?” Star Bright watched his partner read the menu, the look of confusion clear on his face. “I’ll have the… bear-yawn-ee?” Saffron Masala and Star Bright laughed playfully at how the stallion pronounced the dish. “Yes, of course, the baryani.” She jotted down and orders and nodded her head. “They shall be out in two shakes of an elephant’s tusk.” As the mare trotted away, Star Bright took the time to savor the atmosphere—the colors which he would never have even dreamed of putting together somehow gave the restaurant a deep warmth, the strange way the room dividers formed such a peculiar, jagged shape, the way the banners above him waved slightly with the wind of a passing fan. This is wonderful, he thought to himself as he turned to Silver Script, only to feel his pulse stop. Silver Script’s head hung low, his cheeks red and his wings ruffling. It was only then that he realized what he had done. Why did you laugh? he asked himself as he reached his hoof out to Silver Script. “Thank you,” the unicorn said with a smile. His smile widened further when he saw his partner’s head lift from the table and looked him eye to eye. He bit his lip and took a breath. “This is one of the best restaurants in Canterlot,” Star Bright said. “I’m so happy you found a way to bring me here.” Star Bright felt his throat grow dry. He reached over and grabbed a glass of water that Saffron Masala had laid upon the table and began to drink it greedily. Stop being so nervous, he thought as he touched Silver Script’s hoof. The light next to him flickered, but he ignored it so that he could continue to look at his partner. He also ignored the patrons in the restaurant who kept whispering his name as though he were a celebrity. The door opened again, and the silhouette stood in the doorway. “I’m sorry,” he said, narrowing his eyes at the sudden intrusion of sunlight. “Oh?” Silver Script asked, his wings ruffling again. “I can tell that you’re uncomfortable,” he replied. “We could always order everything to go, if you’d like,” he said hopefully. “Oh, that’s alright,” Silver Script said. “Everything—” “Fancy meeting you here!” The stallions looked up to see Trenderhoof standing at their table. Immediately, Star Bright heard the sound of Silver Script’s hoof tapping against the table. He glanced around and noticed more ponies staring towards their table. Did I introduce him to Silvy, he wondered. “Trenderhoof,” he said. “I’m surprised you’re out and about. Don’t you have an interview to prepare for?” “I could say the same for you.” “Where are my manners?” Star Bright said, gesturing to his partner. “This is Silver Script. You met him briefly last night. He’s—” “Just going to the kitchen to get our order to go, like you wanted.” Silver Script pushed back his chair and immediately got to his hooves. “After all,” he added, his voice strained. “Trenderhoof has a point. We don’t want you to be late for your interview.” Just like that, Silver Script trotted off, leaving Star Bright to deal with the unexpected guest. He saw Trenderhoof raise an eyebrow as Silver Script left. “Well, he certainly is attentive,” Trenderhoof mused. “That he is,” came Star Bright’s slightly confused reply. “But why are you here?” “Oh, you know,” Trenderhoof said twirling a hoof in the air. “Just doing my job to find the mundane, the simple, the unappreciated.” He glanced around the restaurant with a sigh. “I had heard that this place was rather unknown.” He shook his head. “And then when I finally get the chance to return to Canterlot, I find out that Miss Rarity had already discovered the place and helped make it quite popular.” “That’s… good, isn’t it?” “Yes,” Trenderhoof replied, his eyes cast to the side. “So long as she doesn’t make a habit out of it,” he muttered. “Well, I’m probably heading back to the castle after this,” Star Bright replied as he got out of his chair. “I have interviews waiting.” His body shuddered at the thought. “Don’t worry,” Trenderhoof said as he placed a hoof on the stallions shoulder. “At the very least, I’ll be sure to keep it light.” He nodded towards the back of the restaurant. “Looks like your guard and assistant are on their way.” “Yeah, they’re—” He paused. “My assistant?” “Yeah, Silver Script.” Star Bright tried to speak, but his throat had gone dry. He tried shaking his head, but ended up coughing instead. “Silver Script…” he wheezed. “He’s… my—” “Are we ready?” Silver Script asked as he approached, followed by the guard. “It’s good that we’re leaving now. Hoof traffic is heavier, so we may have to hail a cab.” “We do have a schedule to keep, Star Bright,” the guard said with a grunt. Silver Script reached out to Star Bright and gently pushed Trenderhoof’s hoof off of him and smiled. “I’m sure you two will have a lot to talk about during the interview this evening,” he said, punctuating it with a smile. “I’m sure I will.” Star Bright felt himself being nearly dragged away from the table and towards the door. Stuffed in between his partner and his guard, Star Bright could only see glimpses of ponies as they watched on in curiosity. “Do be sure to take good care of him!” Trenderhoof called from the back of the restaurant. Star Bright saw Silver Script’s eye twitch, and the moment they opened the door, he felt his husband pull away and turn around. He stood on the steps of the restaurant, and stared at the castle. Behind him, he heard Silver Script call back cheerfully to Trenderhoof. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him!” he said. “That’s my job!”