The aroma was amazing, Barter glanced over as the tables had started being set.
"That was.." Barter started looking back to the stallion who accompanied her that night, "A lovely few dances." She barely got the words to leave her mouth, "But I think we should go sit with our families for the feast. Tell your mother thank you again for me, the embroidery is very beautiful, and I really did have a lovely time dancing tonight."
It wasn't a lie, not really. Knitwish wouldn't be her first pick to dance with, especially not more than once, but it was fun nonetheless.
"Then I'll see you later." He grinned, his fangs were uneven, which made it a challenge to not stare at them when he smiled.
"See you!" She smiled back, waiting for a moment as he trotted away before turning and grabbing a snack from the buffet. They'd be putting the snacks away soon, once the feast officially started so she had to be quick to grab it.
As she was about to take a bite she realized that this was likely to be the last stuffed cockroach she'd have for a very long time, she’d heard that diurnals weren’t too fond of eating bugs. She smiled sadly and savored each bite.
Before anyone noticed there was soon going to be an empty seat, she trotted casually to a nook in the stone wall near the grand exit. The grand exit was larger than the others and had guards nearby it at all times, she wouldn't be going this way. Though it was tempting to wonder how it would feel to trot through such a massive tunnel.
No, instead she crawled into the nook and traveled through it, for what most ponies thought was a nook hidden behind some decorations was actually a tunnel. It wouldn't lead to the outside, but it led a discrete part way path to another exit and provided a safe place for her to store her saddlebags. The tunnel was mostly rock but had a few patches of hard dirt, some managed to crumble off and tickle Barter’s nose, making her wince as she tried desperately hard not to sneeze. Soon enough she came upon three massive lumps.
They were just about the largest and strongest saddlebags she could manage making and carrying. They had three bags attached instead of the regular two and were filled to the brim with everything Barter owned with any importance or value. She planned on living off barters so of course she needed things to barter with. She removed her sash, carrying it in her mouth and slipped on the bags, continuing her final few hoof steps before making it out of the tunnel.
She poked her head out and glance down. She was a bit above and away from the tables, everypony was beginning to sit down, it wouldn’t be long before they noticed. She spotted her sister running up to her father who seemed to be entertaining Lightmoon and some of his friends. She saw Brightmoon a moment later, helping his mother, Barter’s mother, carry napkins to their table. She stifled a sigh. It was now or never. With a shaking breath, Barter took flight. She hoped that they wouldn't hear her wings flap over the sound of so many hooves in one place as they gather around the tables. She flew up, hugging the wall and trying to stay silent despite the weight on her back.
After a long minute of silent bated breath, she saw the distant glow of moonlight from a small hole, there were actually many holes in the roof to allow for airflow but she focused on one. She dashed towards it, almost losing her bags and causing a mini heart attack in the process. She grabbed the bags with a hoof over her shoulder and readjusted it, breathing slower once again.
She made the final stretch and reached out, feeling her forehooves touch dirt. She smiled, this was it. She pulled herself up and stepped carefully up the steep and narrow dirt path. After a second it widened, allowing her to see something she hadn’t seen for a very long time.
She saw the night, the stars and all the trees that surrounded the exit. Her mouth hung agape as she stepped further, feeling the soft rays of moonlight dance of her face as she came more into the open. Then she saw the moon, with the massive craters making up the face of the mare her father once served. It was beautiful.
She almost dropped the sash in her awe but she quickly shut her mouth and continued walking, she glanced back and realized that she had crawled out from between two large roots belonging to a large tree, she’d almost forgotten that her was trees above the caves.
She was quite young when she went down, her sister must not remember the world outside the caves at all, and her brothers have never seen it. She wondered for a moment if she would’ve been happier having not seen that sunrise. She likely wouldn’t have even wanted to leave the caves again and she wouldn’t feel her heart ache as she stared back at the roots that hid the entrance back into her home.
But was it her home? Her family was her, yes, and she would definitely come back to see them again. Well, she’d probably go back, maybe. Would she? She didn’t know. If the outside world was everything she hoped it would be then she may not even want to?
It’s not like I’ll know if I stay here. She took a breath, turning away from the cave. She started her trot into the woods, she didn’t travel far before finding a large rock with a tree on top of it. She grinned, finding an area hidden by smaller rocks and bushes to place her saddlebags.
Once her back was free of the weight, she spread her wings and flew, landing on a large branch of the tree. She looked up to see the same night she had seen a few minutes ago, but then it happened.
It was just the smallest shine of warm orange light peeking over the horizon. As it grew, it’s glow reflection on the dew of the leaves from each and every tree in front of Barter. She shut her eyes as the warm grew to cover her face, she felt it’s warmth against her thick fur and for the first time since she ran out of new trades, she felt alive, she could only imagine how wonderful her first trade with a diurnal would be.
She opened her eyes quickly, not wanting to miss anymore. It was bright, very bright and perfect. She doesn't regret her decision at all, she knew that from that point on she wanted to watch every single sunrise that Celestia crafted.
And then it was too bright. Barter had to squint against the shine before she even saw the flash of white finally make it’s way over the trees, she flinched and slammed her eyes shut, instinctively raising her wings to hide her face.
She forced herself to breath, she knew that would happen to bat ponies who didn’t see the sun much. Her father and other night guards claimed that it mostly went away once their eyes adjusted. They just had to make sure they didn’t go blind in the process of gradually allowing themselves to see more and more light.
She was prepared for this. She took the sash from her mouth into her hoof. She fumbled with it with closed eyes as she wrapped it around her head and tied it into a bow. She sighed, looking down to the forest below, she could see somewhat. She saw significantly more than she would’ve if she was underground with fabric covering her eyes at least.
She spread her wings and flew to the forest ground, grabbing her saddlebags and continuing on her journey.
…
Discovery Dusk needed a drink, not anything fancy, just water. He and Sun Flower had just danced their fourth song of the night and he was exhausted, he hadn’t done much exercise since his last adventure and it was getting to him. I’m gonna have to get in shape before the end of the week. He sighed as he headed over to the table that was filled with dishes and drinks, not the kind that would help with one’s thirst though.
After a moment, Sun Flower followed, “The water’s over here.” she smiled, trotting around to the backside of the table. Discovery shot her a grateful glance.
“Ay foals! Ya havin’ fun?” Both of their heads turned not sure if they were the ones being spoken too, not many ponies in town would call ponies at their age kids. Sure enough it was one who refused to ever stop calling his daughter a foal.
“Yes Daddy.” Sun Flower spoke, rolling her eyes at her clearly drunk father.
“Hey you should have some o’ this stuff.” He waved his cup around, “It’s pweety good!”
“C’mon Rum, give the foals a break with that.” And there was the only pony who refused to stop calling his son a foal.
Sunning Rum laughed, “What? I’ve told everwypony here that they should try it- Hey Trav! You should try some!”
“I have and that’s exactly why you should stop, if you try to get another stallion’s lady drunk he might just beat you up. I bet my son could take you, right Discovery?” Traveling Rise asked.
“Sure Pop.” Discovery shook his head in annoyance, though his father could articulate his words better than Sun’s could, he was definitely drunk. He had a tendency to brag about himself or Discovery whenever he had one too many pints.
Sun looked to Discovery, “Maybe we should drink it just to keep it out of their hooves.” She giggled. Discovery laughed at that as he grabbed a glass of water and took a sip, finally getting the hydration he so desperately needed.
“Ay, when’re you gon’ pop the question boy?”
Both of the friends whipped their heads around to look at Sunning Rum, Discovery nearly spat out his water. It took a moment for the shock to settle but once it did, and Discovery really thought about it for a second, he shrugged.
“Now, I guess.” He turned to Sun, “Do you wanna?”
“What?” Her ears had folded back, pressing against her head, “Get married?”
“I mean, I don’t exactly have plans to do it with anypony,” Discovery laughed, “You’re only my first choice cause you’re my best friend.”
“I hardly think that's any reason to get married.” She glanced at the dance floor before looking back, “Just cause we’re friends?”
“We don’t got to if you don’t wanna.” He glanced to the dance floor, realizing that she must’ve been looking at Scarlet Love and Smoky Arrow again. “Or I could punch Smoky till he proposed to you.”
“What? No!” She said defensively, blushing hard.
Discovery laughed, “That was a joke.”
“I know that.” She said, looking to the couple yet again, “..But I..”
“Oh c’mon filly! I want some grandfoals!” Rum practically shouted with glee.
“Well,” Sun Flower smiled an almost sad smile, “I do really want to have a foal.”
“Ignore your father, there’s no pressure.” Discovery said.
“I..” She started, glancing again to the couple before turning back to Discovery, though her eyes still lingered on them a few moments longer, “I don’t have a chance…” She said quietly in defeat, “Alright.” She said with a sudden smile, “As long as you let me be a merchant!”
Discovery grinned, “Sure, as long as you let me be a traveling merchant.”
“Then it’s a deal.” She stuck out her hoof and Discovery shook it.
“That’s just about the least romantic thing I’d ever seen.” Traveling Rise pointed out, causing the new fiances to laugh. It certainly wasn’t romantic in the slightest.
“I can fix that.” Sun spoke. She reached out with a hoof and pulled Discovery closer, taking Discovery’s first kiss at once.
When she pulled back she saw that Discovery was blushing furiously. She couldn’t help but giggle at his embarrassment.
“Ay!” Rum’s drunken call echoed through the party, “My filly’s gettin’ married!”
A loud “Huzzah!” was called from the crowd of mostly drunk dancers.
Discovery and Sun both found the situation absolutely hilarious, after Discovery recovered from his laughter he turned to Sun, “Are you sure?” he asked, “It isn’t too late to beat somepony up.”
“I’m sure.” She nodded, “Also I get to name our foal.” She smiled.
“Of course.” He confirmed. Sun glanced over to the dancers again and Discovery followed her eyes to spot exactly who he thought he’d spot, he sighed, “May I have this dance?” he asked, raising his hoof.
Sun looked back to him, she smiled and rested her hoof in his. They trotted towards the music, dancing with the other townsfolk until Celestia declared it morning.