Feather Bangs sat on a seat next to Fond Feather as they rode the train towards Rainbow Falls. Fond Feather wanted to have a shopping date at the annual Rainbow Falls Traders' Exchange. Feather could tell Fond was going to be really busy there judging by her saddle bag filled with lots of trinkets to trade with. It had been a while since Feather left Starlight's village to other parts of Equestria. He leaves the town for a few occasions such as a family matter or to explore new places for his poetry inspiration. This trip was different as he wasn't going to a new place alone. The train was approaching to the Rainbow Falls where all of the rainbows were pouring down like a waterfall. Feather was in awe as he saw the rainbows pouring from the sky. Just the sight of the falls inspired Feather to come up with various poems that involved rainbows or the location.
"Enjoying the view?" Fond asked curiously.
"Oh!" Feather flinched and quickly replied. "Yeah, I think it looks great." Fond giggled which caused confusion for Feather. Fond gave with a huff and turned to cross her hooves.
"Keep staring and I might get jealous." Fond said in a grumpy tone.
"I..uh," Feather said out of nervousness. Fond just laughed from Feather's reaction.
"I'm kidding," Fond replied as she looked out the window. "this place still looks great though." The train slowly arrived to the train station where ponies from all around were carrying lots of items. Feather and Fond made their way to the main streets where the traders' exchange was taking place. It was almost if a pony could get anything from the trade exchange; from clocks to live animals, the Rainbow Falls Traders' Exchange had it all. Fond pulled out a map that showed the locations of the various booths.
"Follow me, Feather!" Fond said as she made her way to one of the stalls. Feather took a deep breath before he followed his date. They made their way to a booth where dozens of candles and strange looking rocks were on display. The pony running the booth was a green mare with long red manes that was tied with a yellow bandana.
"Tree Hugger!" Fond hollered as she hurried to the booth.
"Ah, Fond Feather!" Tree Hugger said as she gave Fond a friendly hug. "It's so nice to see you again."
"Same here!" Fond replied as she took a look at the various things on Tree Hugger's booth. "Looks like you're doing good with business."
"Yep," Tree Hugger agreed. "many ponies have came to buy candles to soothe themselves with earthly aromas." Tree Hugger then noticed Feather standing behind her friend.
"Who is this colt with the waving manes?" Tree Hugger asked. "Is he a friend of yours?"
"This is Feather Bangs," Fond introduced the said stallion. "he's my date for today."
"Um..hi, it's nice to meet you." Feather said sheepishly.
"The pleasure is all mine!" Tree Hugger said as she placed a hoof on her chest. "It's so nice for younglings to start searching for their soul mates. There may be a chance that this Feather fellow could be your soul mate, Fond." Feather just blushed from Tree Hugger's statement. Fond just giggled from seeing Feather acting so embarrassed.
"One can only dream." Fond replied before she looked around Tree Hugger's booth. A tall, green candle caught Fond's attention as she picked it up to give it a smell.
"Ooh!" Fond said while lifting the candle to Tree Hugger. "What fragrance does this make? It smells great!"
"That would be green tea," Tree Hugger replied. "it has a great aroma if you want have a spa day."
"I'll take it!" Fond said as she opened her bag.
"How much is it?" Fond asked.
"It would cost five bits; unless you have something to trade for it?" Fond dug inside her bag until she pulled out a light purple candle.
"Will this do?" Fond asked as she gave Tree Hugger the candle to smell. Tree Hugger took one whiff as it caused her face to light up in a delightful expression.
"This smells wonderful!” Tree Hugger claimed.
"I used tulip petals and grass leaves for this candle." Fond said. "I call it: Tulip Garden!"
"The candle will do!" Tree Hugger said as she put away Fond's candle.
"Good-bye Tree Hugger!" Fond said while she and Feather left the booth. "I'll enjoy the green tea aroma!" The hippie mare waved back before the couple was no longer seen.
"She was an interesting mare." Feather said as he followed Fond.
"Yes she is," Fond replied. "Tree Hugger is my main source for getting new scented candles. My scented candles are alright, but Tree Hugger's are made with ingredients from different parts of Equestria."
"Maybe I should get to know her." Feather suggested. "A candle's scent could bring out more of my creativity." Fond stopped trotting to show her pouty lips and glassy eyes to Feather.
"What about me?" Fond whined. "Aren't my candles good enough for you?" Fond's lips quivered in sadness. Feather felt terrible for accidentally upsetting a mare.
"I didn't mean that!" Feather replied in desperation. "I-I just thought-" Fond suddenly laughed out loud which left Feather confused once again.
"I-I can't believe you fell for that too!" Fond said while wiping a tear. "You're cute when you're gullible." Feather was confused on whether to be offended or flattered from Fond's comment. He then got a surprise boop from one of Fond's hooves.
"And that is what I love about you." Fond said with lidded eyes. Feather couldn't help but blush after hearing what Fond said.
"Shall we get going?" Fond asked before she turned and continued to trot through the traders' exchange. Feather stayed silent as he followed his date to wherever she was leading him. The next stop was at a clothing booth where Fond was busy holding up dresses to a mirror to see which would suit her better. Feather was trying on certain hats that would look good on him. He tried on a green fedora but it didn't look good on him. Feather then noticed a light purple cap with the word 'SWAG' written in gold writing. He put the cap on and took a look at a small mirror next to him.
"Not bad," Feather said to himself.
"I agree," Fond said from behind. Feather got startled as he turned to Fond.
"Sorry, I couldn't help myself." Fond giggled as she took brought out some dresses. "I found some really good clothing and I was wondering if you would like to see how I look in some of them." Fond batted her eyes as an act of convincing Feather.
"Sure," Feather responded with a nervous grin. He followed Fond until she went inside one of the changing stalls behind the booths. Feather waited patiently while Fond was changing. The curtains opened up to reveal Fond in a dark blue sailor dress that had a short blue skirt. The dress must've been for a pegasus as Feather could see Fond's wings poked out from her back.
"What do you think?" Fond asked as she spun around to allow Feather to see every part of the dress.
"It looks wonderful on you!" Feather replied as honestly as he could. Fond just smiled as she closed the curtains to try on another outfit. Fond showed herself off while wearing a light pink dress that would suit her nicely for a fancy party.
"What about this one?" Fond asked once again while she struck a pose.
"It's very good." Feather responded. "The color pink looks well on you." After a couple minutes of Fond trying on dresses, she made her payments for not only for her dresses but also for Feather's purple cap.
"Here you go!" Fond said as she gave Feather his cap.
"I'll pay you back." Feather said as he put the cap on his head.
"Oh, don't worry." Fond replied. "Consider it as a gift from me." Fond was about to pick some her gift bags until Feather picked them up.
"Allow me to get these." Feather said as he adjusted himself to carry all of Fond's bags.
'Such a gentlecolt' Fond thought before she got close to Feather. "Alright, but for one occasion." Fond said before she got two bags off of Feather.
"I'll carry some bags to help you. Let's go!" Fond said as she lead Feather to another booth. The day went by with Feather and Fond going from one booth to the next to look for stuff that caught their eyes. After each stop, Feather got more bags to carry along with Fond carrying some as well. It was sunset when the traders' exchange was slowing down and Feather was resting on top of a haystack with a lot of bags by his side. Fond told Feather to stay where he was while she went somewhere to get something. Feather was especially impressed on how Fond was able to trade some of her stuff for some good deals.
'She must have years of shopping experience.' Feather thought.
"I'm back!" Fond's voice interrupted Feather's thoughts as he saw his date trotted back while carrying a small blue, paper bag.
"What did you get?" Feather asked, hoping that it isn't something very heavy.
"Find out for yourself." Fond said as she gave the bag to Feather. "I got this special item for you!" Feather looked at the bag before he pulled out what was inside.
"Whoa," It was the only word Feather could say from holding up a red portable lap desk. It had a small quill holder on the side with two clips on the board for holding paper in place. The quill feather was white with a golden tip that made the whole thing look luxurious. Feather could tell the lap desk was new judging by the lack of chip or scratches on it. Fond chuckled as she watched Feather admire her gift.
"I'm glad you like it." Fond responded. "I saw it on a booth we passed by and I thought it could be something useful for you when you write poetry. I often see you struggle with writing your poems when you're outside." Feather was shocked to hear that Fond knew he had that kind of problem.
"Oh, you see me write poetry?" Feather asked.
"Yeah, I think it's a rare talent for a stallion." Fond said while blushing. "I especially love it when you use some of your poetry whenever you sing."
"F-Fond, I don't know what to say or how I could repay you for this!" Feather said with gratitude. Fond just giggled as she trotted towards Feather.
"I think I could might know something." Fond replied as she placed a hoof on Feather's chin. She slowly gave Feather a peak on the cheek, causing Feather to blush a bright red.
"There! Now we're even." Fond giggled. Feather placed a hoof on his cheek as this was the second kiss on the cheek he had received. The train horn blew from the distance, signaling that the train will leave soon.
"Let's head home, Feather." Fond suggested as the couple picked up their things and made their way to the train ride home.