//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Honeymoon // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// “I’m grateful that at least the water isn’t ice cold,” Acrylic muttered as his spouse poured a pitcher of water over his head. “And the soap is actually the real thing.” “In all honesty, it would probably be harder to find cold water out here than warm.” Fancy replied as he took off his clothes. “Fancy pants-less now,” Acrylic chuckled as he got to get out of the tub for Fancy’s turn. His husband rolled his eyes, “Really ‘Crylic, how long are you going to hold on to that joke of yours?” “Just as long as you keep those clothes off,” the stallion winked as he got a towel in the face. “Thanks,” he replied as he dried himself while Fancy got into the tub. “So, did I miss anything from the bar before I got trampled?” “Not really,” he replied while sitting down in the tub. “Just consider yourself lucky that you don’t drink alcohol. The locally brewed stuff they have is… oh how do I give it justice? Far too strong for my tastes.”  “By ‘strong’ of course you mean has the consistency of paint thinner?” Fancy nodded. “Then what about that Braeburn fellow? He didn’t try to flirt with you, did he?” “He didn’t present me flowers and suggested to go into one of the bedrooms if that’s what you’re implying,” he chuckled as Acrylic took the picture in hoof to scoop up the water. “If anything, he’s quite the character.” He smirked, “Please don’t tell me that you’re getting jealous already, are you?” The artist poured the soapy water over his spouse's back. “What can I say? We’re smacked dabbed in the middle of nowhere and sagebrush, so can you blame me for being careful in a new place like this?” “Still,” Fancy looked straight up as his husband poured water over his mane. “He is interesting to talk to. You ought to sit down and speak with him sometime.” “Well, what did you talk about?” “Nothing crazy, he is just interesting to talk to. After you went upstairs we had a fantastic chat about the history of modern Equestria. Quite an informed chap really, you wouldn’t think it.” Fancy replied as the warm water splashed down his face. “I’ll add it to the list, if anything the list could do with some growing.” Acrylic rolled his eyes. “Nonsense, there is plenty to do here! Why don’t we take a stroll up the clifftop over there? I’m sure it will look even nicer for a sunrise.” Fancy suggested as Acrylic massaged his back.  “Actually, while I was walking around, scouting for some ideal landscapes, I did walk up there and, surprisingly there are some notable features that might be promising.” He let his hooves rub a little further down. “The only downside, as far as I can see, is that we’ll have to get up very early in the morning. But other than that,” he gave his husband a quick kiss on the lips. “As long as you’re with me, then nothing will ever be so boring.” He splashed some water over his withers. “Well, that and even a desolate place is easily improved by a sunrise.” Fancy chuckled. “Oh! Speaking of paintings, what happened to that one you were working on?” “At least by some miracle, it didn’t get trampled on.” He replied, “Of course, it’s still unfinished, but at least it’s safe.” As he let the picture fill with water again, he added, “By the way, are there any farms east of here?” His spouse blinked. “What makes you say that?” “Well, while I was working, I noticed that there was a small group that was pulling wagons going east from here. Towards that cliff. I’m wondering if there’s anything like a farm over there.” Fancy shrugged as he stood up in the tub, “There must be. I couldn’t imagine it was anything else. Maybe if there are more in the morning we could go with them, see the sights and whatnot.” “Yes… all of the very distinctive sights… all very different from each other.” Acrylic deadpanned. “Don’t be such a negative Nancy, it could be exciting.” Fancy replied, wrapping a towel around himself and hopping out. “As for now, I’ve had enough excitement for today. How does bed sound?” Acrylic smirked, “Sound’s excellent. You’re not too tired I hope?” “Lucky for you,” Fancy kissed his husband again. “Not at all.” “Come on Fancy! It’s just over this hill!” Acrylic called out, racing ahead. Fancy huffed along slower, “Feels more like a mountain.” He managed to push out through the heavy panting. “I am so unfit for this,” he grimaced as the ground started leveling out.  Meeting Acrylic on the small plateau they looked out across the desert, catching the vague glimpse of a treeline far north. “We must be really high up right now, we can see half of Equestria from up here.” Fancy huffed. “But beautiful nonetheless, perfect for your painting.” “Are you okay?” The unicorn nodded, “Just give me about…” he heaved, “Three months to recover. But go on, get on to your painting.” “Before I do anything, here,” he took the canteen from around his neck and offered up to him. “Something tells me that you might need it.” “Thank you kindly,” Fancy unscrewed the canteen before downing the water into his muzzle while his spouse began to set up his tripod. “You know, it’s surprisingly chilly at this hour.” Looking over the darkened landscape, in the corner of his eye, Fancy caught a dim light at the base of a large plateau long into the distance. A thought drifted in his head about what Braeburn had mentioned the other day about some illegal activities. “Uhh...  ‘Crylic?” Acrylic quickly turned around, sending his easel sprawling onto the hilly ground. “Yeah?”  “Was that there yesterday when you came up here?” Fancy asked, pointing towards the light.  Raising an eyebrow, Acrylic looked over to the spot where Fancy was pointing, looking like he recognized it once he spotted the light. “Actually, I did. I guess they are tradesponies or something? I don’t know, they make for a great little additive to the painting though.” Fancy narrowed his eyes at the strange little light. “Yeah… Tradesponies...” While his spouse picked up the tripod, placed the blank canvas onto it, and set about sketching the landscape, the unicorn looked over at the entire land in a full circle. “It seems a touch… peculiar, doesn't it?” “How so?” “I mean…” Fancy concentrated at the light down below. “Does it strike you strange that here we are in this desolate desert, where the only sign of civilization around is right behind us, and yet there’s someone down there at this hour of the morning.” Acrylic raised an eyebrow as he craned his head from the side of the canvas. “Well maybe their wagon just broke down or perhaps they’re just camping.” “I don’t know…” Fancy tapped a hoof to his chin, “There’s something not quite right with this picture. Only-” Before he could finish what he was saying, the light from below went out. “See! They are just travelers like I said, you paranoid thing.” Acrylic smiled. “I’m not being paranoid, I’m just merely curious is all.” “Pot, meet kettle.” Fancy kept silent as he rolled his eyes. He watched the sun slowly creep up and soon enough, his husband switched from a pencil and turned towards his paints. Every so often he studied the landscape to quickly put on the first layer of paint. As the sun gave the wasteland more light and color to the dawn, Fancy still kept his eyes on the spot where that mysterious light was. From the dim morning, his sight became adjusted towards the spot until he realized something. “Did you know that there’s a cave over there?” His husband peeked his head out, “Come again?” “Yes, I didn’t notice it until now. Just right over there at that plateau. Do you see? Right at the very base of it.” The artist squinted in the light of the morning sun. “I think so?” He returned to his canvas, “But at least that’s one mystery solved.” “What are you going on about?” “That light. I bet you that’s a mine or a cave.” The two of them went silent until the Canterlot unicorn made an observation. “So that implies that there are miners here, correct?” “Yes? Why?” “Acrylic, maybe it’s my memory, but I don’t recall seeing any miners yesterday, did you?” “It’s another town’s miners, they have just started, we just didn’t see them yesterday because they were busy mining. What’s gotten into you?” “‘Crylic dear, look around. Do you see any other towns in sight? Even if there are say… over the horizon, I’d say that’s a pretty long walk to work, don’t you think?” “I mean… I guess? But hence the light from a camp because they trek back for supplies once a week, what a cute little story about some random miners.” Acrylic rolled his eyes as he slapped another layer of paint over his canvas. “Remember hon, I used to grow up in a mining down, so this isn’t exactly uncommon.” “Yes but…” Fancy let out a sigh, sitting on the sandy plateau. “I suppose you’re right, Braeburn was talking about something yesterday and I am just on a bit of high alert.”  “Hmm? What was he saying?” Acrylic asked, turning around to face Fancy. “Just some illicit activities causing problems for his hometown, nothing huge I guess but you never know.”  Acrylic shrugged turning back to his painting, “Not our problem… Braeburn or whatever have a job, I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”  Fancy shrugged, choosing not to take the matter further. Yet, whilst his husband painted, the thought of the mine couldn’t escape his imagination, and as the sunrise fell into full swing, Fancy’s urge to check it out got the better of him. Even if it was nothing, he can’t help his curiosity get the better of him to get a closer look somehow.  It was then that he got an idea. “Hey Acrylic?” he purred, slithering up to his husband and resting his hooves on the artist’s back. “What?” He asked, putting his paintbrush down and looking over to Fancy giving him bedroom eyes. “That mine down there, I know it’s a mine, and you’re completely right, but I’m sure with a mine comes shiny things.” Acrylic raised an eyebrow, looking over to Fancy in a very unamused manner. Yet, Fancy carried on, relentless. “Shiny things jutting out the wall waiting for the light to catch them perfectly for them to try sparkle and shine, filling that mine full of brilliant, vibrant colors just begging for somepony to truly capture the true beauty amongst a sea of darkness. What a poetic little juxtaposition. Fitting for an… Impressionist.”  “Funny thing is, I know you’re playing with me but…” His spouse hummed in thought, “Tell you what. Let me finish this, and then we’ll go down and see what the cave has to offer.”  With a coy smirk, he added, “If by chance there is something visually… stimulating in there, would you mind if I paint you in a very stimulating manner next to it… again?” Fancy’s face went pale, making the blush come out of his face. “You dirty little pony, that cave must be filthy…” Acrylic smiled playfully, pulling Fancy closer, “What a poetic little juxtaposition,” he smirked.