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// ix. Rumor 
// Story: Head Over Heels 
// by FoolAmongTheStars 
//------------------------------//

Starlight was torn. On one hoof, she was pleased by the small signs of regard she was afforded by the deer delegation. According to her father, the deer had not maintained an official point of contact with Sire’s Hollow since her grandmother’s day. To be chosen is a great honor. But on the other hoof, Starlight found herself wishing that Prince Bramble had never come to Sire’s Hollow. 

“How cute, a match made in heaven!”

“Some fillies just get all the luck, huh?”

“Hey Starlight! Don’t hog the prince all to yourself, introduce us!”

Giggles, whispers, annoying knowing glances from the older ponies, jealous looks from the younger ponies. Starlight sneaked a glance at the creature walking by her side. Regal. Nobel. Handsome. The young prince was in a class all on his own. Even Sunset would moon over the young prince once in a while, but Starlight didn’t despite what the villagers thought. 

Her own heart was a stubborn thing and it was set on a unicorn with a messy mane and round glasses, who was not in the least bothered by the young prince’s insistence on following Starlight around when he got the chance. The young filly felt a little sadden by Sunburst’s nonchalance.

She didn’t realize she was staring until the deer’s golden eyes leveled on her. His brows arched, and the ten-year-old obediently replied to his silent inquiry. “Every creature is talking about…us.” She said awkwardly.

“Hmm…it will pass,” Bramble said with an amused tone.

They were simply paying attention until something new came along, she understood that, but the deer’s assertion didn’t make sense. “But won’t it only get worse as we get older?”

Bramble gazed down at her with a funny look Starlight couldn’t decipher. “The only way to dispel a rumor is with the truth, and when you’re ready to give it, all these silly rumors about us will go away.”

Starlight blinked at him. “What do you mean?”

“You’ll see,” Bramble said, and he smiled discreetly when Sunburst saw them and approached them. 

The way the filly perked up at the sight of the colt didn’t go unnoticed by the deer.