Chapter Two
Love is a Sunrise
⠀
⠀
Why did the textile industry even need a showcase? Golden Lace sold fabric for Celestia’s sake! She should be back in Canterlot running Warp and Weft, her fledgeling business. Not in Vanhoover of all places on a business trip to try and find more customers. Even if it was mid-spring, it was cold and Golden Lace was miserable.
The showcase ending for the day should have been reason to feel a little better, even if there were still three more days ahead of her. Should have been, but as she stepped out into the cold, she just hated everything about this place. She used her magic to adjust her scarf and walked down the street.
Somehow the locals remained chipper in the cold, which only made her feel worse. She felt like a tourist in a town she hated, and having spent the day feigning interest in potential customers as she watched them shop around her competition – most of whom were from bigger and more established companies – left her in a sour mood. And to top it all off, she had a headache.
She had planned to just head to her hotel and call it a day. There were four days to the showcase, so she had to be ready to do the whole thing again in the morning. A good night’s sleep would help.
But then along the way, she noticed a bar. It would be good to get out of the cold and get something to warm her up a little. It might even take the edge off her headache while she was at it.
As she stepped inside, the warmth of the bar gave her instant relief. She made her way up to the bar and took a seat. A stallion nearby smiled at her. “I see I’m not the only one who needed to let loose a little after that.”
Golden Lace cocked her head to the side. He seemed to be around her age, a light yellow unicorn with a pale spot above his muzzle and an orange mane that stood straight up. He looked vaguely familiar, but Golden Lace couldn’t quite place him. “Er, do I know you?”
He laughed. “We haven’t met, no. I was at the textile showcase though, and I noticed you there. I’m with The Spinning Wheel.”
“Oh! A pleasure to meet you, then. I’m Golden Lace, with Warp and Weft.”
He extended his hoof to bump hers. “The pleasure’s all mine. My name’s Sunspot, by the way. Can I buy you a drink?”
Golden Lace chuckled. “I wouldn’t say no.”
Sunspot knocked on the table with his hoof to get the bartender’s attention, but he turned back to Golden Lace. “What are we drinking?”
“Gin Negroni?” she suggested.
That got another laugh out of Sunspot. He seemed to laugh easily. “The lady can drink, then!”
Golden Lace chuckled again. “Yes, she can.”
“Two Gin Negronis, please.”
The bartender mixed their drinks for them, and Golden Lace lifted her glass in a toast. “To business, then?”
“Ha, anything but.” Sunspot grinned. “To pleasure, leave business for the morning.”
That got a laugh out of Golden Lace. “Very well then. To pleasure.”
She took a drink, savoring the fruity and slightly bitter flavor. “Not a fan of your job then?”
Sunspot shrugged. “It’s not all that bad. Lets me travel, which is the reason I took the position. But the less I have to think about it in my off-hours, the better.”
“Fair enough. So have you been to many of these conferences then? This is my first.”
“Oh yes, I’ve been all over Equestria. Shilling fabric for somepony who doesn’t even know I exist.” Although he might have been complaining, he said it as if it were a joke. He laughed often, was cheerful, and seemed to be a little on the loud side. After a year with Brass Badge, these were all traits Golden Lace had come to enjoy in her company.
“Why not start your own company?”
He laughed again at that. “Well, why not become an alicorn while I’m at it? I like wishful thinking as much as the next guy, but climbing all the way up the ladder to run the company? That’s just not in the cards for ponies like us.”
Golden Lace hid her smile by finishing off her drink. She realized he was a low-level employee at his company and thought she was the same. She could correct him, but she knew some ponies didn’t have a high opinion of those of nobler birth. Besides, it was fun to not have to represent her own legacy once in a while.
“I suppose you’re right. But what can you do?”
“What indeed.” He finished his own drink and smiled. He had such a handsome smile. “Travel the world on a wealthy pony’s bit, that’s what.”
“That’s a better way to look at it. I’ll pay for the next round.”
Sunspot was good company, and he managed to put Golden Lace in a much better mood as they talked. Between that and the alcohol, she forgot all about her headache and the cold.
They sat and talked for what must have been hours. It was liberating to just talk to somepony about something other than business. For all her complaints, Golden Lace absolutely loved her business. But it was the only way she ever spoke with anypony – certainly she didn’t find herself speaking to her husband ever – and that got a little tiring.
But there was only so long that a pony could spend in a bar before attracting certain unwanted opinions, so Golden Lace proposed they adjourn for the evening.
“That’s probably wise,” Sunspot said. They’d had more than a few drinks each, and he was beginning to show it. “I’ll pick up the tab then.”
Golden Lace frowned. “You’ll do no such thing. I drank half of it.”
“Yes, but I had the better company,” he said with a grin.
Golden Lace rolled her eyes. “Nonsense, you’ve been delightful. I refuse to leave unless you let me pay for my share of the drinks, and I’m certain a gentlecolt like yourself wouldn’t leave a lady in a bar.”
“You raise a good point, but I have one condition.”
Golden Lace smiled. “And what’s that?”
“Let me walk you to your hotel.”
Golden Lace giggled. She actually giggled, as if she were a little filly again. “If you insist.”
“I do.”
They each paid their half of the bill, then they made their way out of the bar. Sunspot stumbled a little, which made Golden Lace laugh.
“How are you standing straight?” he asked. “You drank as much as I did.”
She just grinned. “Like you said, the lady can drink.”
He laughed at that as well, and they set off walking slowly down the road. “So where are you staying?”
“The Golden Horseshoe.”
“The Golden Horseshoe?” he repeated. “Geez, they put you up in a nice place.”
Golden Lace kept her smile even when it threatened to run off with her. She’d joked around with him all evening about being working class ponies, and she was not eager to admit she’d been lying. “I guess I got lucky. What about you?”
“I’m at a small bed and breakfast. Nothing shabby, but I’ve never gotten to stay at a top-rated hotel like the Golden Horseshoe. And this is your first business trip?”
Golden Lace chuckled nervously. “Yeah, I didn’t really think much of it, but I guess my boss must be loaded.”
“And generous,” he added. “Hold onto that job, it’s a keeper.”
Thankfully, the conversation turned away from Golden Lace’s good fortune with her generous employer. Instead, they talked about the city, and all the things Sunspot loved about it. It was strange; she’d hated Vanhoover from the moment she set hoof in it, but hearing Sunspot talk about it, she found herself seeing it in a whole new light.
When they reached her hotel, he walked her up to her room. He reached out to bump her hoof before leaving, and she gave him a hug instead. “Today was just what I needed. Thank you for everything.”
Sunspot laughed. “I think I should be thanking you. You’re in town for the whole showcase, right?”
“I am. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
Sunspot grinned. “I’m looking forward to it already.”
They said their goodbyes, then Golden Lace stepped into the room. She’d also found something to look forward to, it seemed.
What started as a headache had become much worse with time. Sinus pressure built up behind Golden Lace’s eyes, which had become red and irritated from rubbing at them. It was hard to say what was worse, that or the fact that her nose had become a veritable waterfall of mucus. She kept a box of tissues on hoof near the bed, but it didn’t stop the fur around her muzzle from becoming matted.
If she had expected company, she may have cleaned herself up, but she had the hotel room until the morning and little reason to think anyone would come calling. She had hung the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door to ward off the room service that she was in no mood for.
But expected or otherwise, a knock came on the door all the same. Golden Lace gave an annoyed grunt, then ignored how it hurt her head to use her magic to open the door. It was still preferable to actually getting up.
She looked at the door with half-lidded eyes, not caring how pathetic she looked to whoever was on the other side. She changed her mind when she saw who was on the other side, however.
“Sunspot!” Golden Lace scrambled to a more ladylike sitting position. It had been a couple days since she first met the stallion, and her opinion of him had only grown. During the day, they were rivals representing competing companies, but then after work they would meet up at the bar to talk and laugh together. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.” Sunspot took a few steps into her room and she let the door close behind him. “Didn’t think you’d drunk enough yesterday to wind up in bed all day today.”
“It’s not that.” Golden Lace made her point by levitating a tissue over and blowing her nose.
“Yes, I see. I hope it’s nothing too serious…”
“Me too.” Golden Lace sighed. “You probably shouldn’t stick around, in any event. You don’t want to catch this too.”
“And leave you to fight this yourself? Nonsense. Have you eaten?”
Golden Lace groaned. “I don’t think I could manage.”
Sunspot frowned. “How about I go out and get you some soup? You need to keep your strength up.”
“That’s sweet of you, but really, I’ll be okay.”
Sunspot put on that brilliant grin of his and winked. “Sorry, my dear, you lost this battle at ‘that’s sweet of you’. Afraid I have no choice now, a sweet mare like you deserves the same in return.”
“I feel anything but sweet right now,” Golden Lace said, falling back on the bed.
“Just wait, we’ll get you on your hooves again soon.”
Golden Lace turned her head towards Sunspot and frowned. “I can’t convince you, can I?”
“Not a chance. Sit tight!” Sunspot left her wondering where else he thought she might go in her state.
At least him being gone gave her the chance to get cleaned up a little. And who knew? Maybe a hot shower would clear up her sinuses a little.
Getting up was a challenge, but Golden Lace managed to make her way to the bathroom and run the water for her shower. The steam was nice, but she didn’t do much to actually clean herself. Instead she just sat on the floor and let the hot water run over her, although she did clean off her muzzle.
By the time she got up she, well… she still felt like crap, but she looked a little nicer at least. She turned off the water and dried herself with one towel then used a second to wrap up her wet mane.
And as soon as she was out of the bathroom, she levitated a tissue over to blow her nose. She wondered why she had bothered to clean up, she was bound to be gross again within half an hour.
At least she still looked relatively okay by the time Sunspot returned. He knocked on the door again, and this time, Golden Lace walked over to open it herself.
“What are you doing up and about?” he asked once the door was open.
“Just taking a shower. I have to try to look at least a little presentable if you’re going to all this trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all, but I’d feel better if you took it easy. Here, let’s get you back to bed.”
Golden Lace followed his suggestion and climbed back into bed. Sunspot pulled out a disposable container filled with soup, which he passed to Golden Lace along with a spoon.
Despite her claim of not being able to stomach food, she made her best attempt to eat some of the soup. It was good, and it warmed her up as she ate it.
“Thank you,” she said in between bites. “This is the first thing I’ve had to eat all day.”
“I thought as much.” Sunspot smiled and pulled out a book. “I also thought you might be bored out of your mind in here, so I stopped by my hotel to pick this up. I never leave home without a book of poetry.”
Golden Lace forced a smile. She was not a big fan of poetry. “Oh? Going to read me something?”
“Of course.” Sunspot flipped through the book. “This one reminds me of you, actually.”
“Oh yeah? Is it a great ballad about the snot-nosed mare?”
“Not quite. It’s called ‘Love is a Sunrise’.”
Golden Lace’s mouth fell open slightly. A love poem reminded him of her? She blinked and put on a smile. “I’d love to hear it.”
Sunspot cleared his throat and began.
Beautiful, and breath-taking;
My love is a sunrise.
When she slips over the horizon
The warmth lingers in her eyes
The clouds try but cannot dim
the brilliance of her light
Her radiance is a sight to see
As she drives away the night
Alas, I cannot quite behold her
Can’t look her in the eyes
For I am the dusk she casts aside—
I too dark and oh, too wise
I wish that I could let her in,
Let her illustrate my skies
All my heart I’d give to her,
My darling love sunrise
There was no misunderstanding his message. Golden Lace did not need to be knowledgeable about poetry to see what was going on, but she didn’t know how to feel about it.
He looked uncertain at the lack of reply. “It’s, well, it’s just that your smile is so bright, like a little sunrise every time I see it.”
Golden Lace smiled at that, which made him smile as well. “Sunspot, I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say that you want me to read another, my sunrise girl.”
Golden Lace blushed at the nickname. And yet, despite being sick in bed, there was nowhere else she’d rather be. “I’d love to hear another.”
Sunspot nodded and began another, and Golden Lace decided that maybe poetry wasn’t so bad.
A few blissful days, the last of which was spent sick in bed. That’s what Golden Lace got with Sunspot, then it was back to Canterlot. She told herself that things would be different, that she’d become rejuvenated by the short trip and that she would be prepared to return to her role as a dutiful wife and business mare.
Well, she returned to the corporate world easily enough. As for Brass Badge, she barely got so much as an “I trust it went well?” and then he was back to ignoring her business enterprise. And, for that matter, ignoring her. Some days she found herself pressing his buttons just to get a response from him, since he only ever seemed interested in talking to her if he was angry with her.
Well, buck him. Golden Lace had been so young back when they first married. It barely been more than a year since their wedding, and yet Golden Lace had grown so much.
What had she been but a stupid child when she had agreed to marry a stallion she barely knew? Sure, he had seemed so distinguished, the perfect gentlecolt in every way. She had loved him then.
And now? Now she loved her job. That’s what she got out of this marriage, a career opportunity she never would’ve had without his money. It was worth putting up with Brass Badge for that – not that putting up with him was difficult, as the two rarely talked.
It was worth it, Golden Lace decided. She lived a comfortable life that few other ponies were wealthy enough to provide for her, and she had her business, which was growing by the day. Not to mention the higher social status the two of them reached together. Perhaps they really were made for each other, because whether they loved one another or not, they gave each other exactly what they needed.
Even so, Golden Lace couldn’t help but grow excited at the prospect of another business trip. It was a chance to get away from Canterlot for a while, to go somewhere she wouldn’t need to be herself. It had been just what she needed once before, and it could be once again.
And, of course, she might run into a friend there.
For her first business trip, Golden Lace had been miserable until she met Sunspot. This time she was excited. It wasn’t another showcase, but there were representatives from a few companies meeting with a potential client.
“Are we all here then?” the client asked when the third salespony showed up.
Golden Lace frowned. If this was everypony, then that meant Sunspot wasn’t here after all.
Meanwhile, the others murmured in agreement. “Good. Perhaps we should start with a tour of the facilities so you can better understand our needs.”
The group followed after him, although Golden Lace only did so reluctantly. She knew Sunspot’s company was one of the ones competing for the client, so she had hoped…
Golden Lace had to shake herself free from those thoughts. She still had to give her all for her company, whether she felt like it or not.
And that’s just what she did. Golden Lace was a professional, which was what she’d have to be. She was the underdog, after all. The other companies were all bigger than hers, and yet here she was, pushed ahead of her place by her tenacity and business prowess.
They toured the facility together, which proved to be ultimately pointless, then they individually met with a representative of the company to talk about what they could bring to a partnership.
It was clear to Golden Lace that this was a strategy to get them to compete with each other to the benefit of the company they were trying to make a deal with. But seeing through it didn’t mean Golden Lace had a way to rise above. Everyone would be competing to give the best deal, and if she refused to play the game, then she wouldn’t get any deal.
Even leaving them to their own devices together was part of the plan. Well buck that, Golden Lace wasn’t going to spend the whole time staring daggers at her competitors.
Instead, she struck up a conversation with the other pony waiting with her. “Hi there. I’m Golden Lace, with Warp and Weft.”
The other mare looked surprised to see Golden Lace was talking with her. “Oh, hi. My name’s Stellar Flare, and I work for The Spinning Wheel.”
“The Spinning Wheel?” Golden Lace smiled. “Then do you know Sunspot?”
“We’ve met a few times, but we mostly compete with one another.” Stellar Flare grinned. “Only so many jobs for the two of us, always gotta prove who can one-up the other.”
“I see. Don’t suppose you know how he’s doing these days then? I haven’t seen him in a few months.”
Stellar Flare’s grin shifted a bit as realization dawned on her face. “You’re the Sunrise Girl, aren’t you?”
Golden Lace spluttered. “I, uh…”
Stellar Flare laughed. “The poor guy still hasn’t stopped talking about you, you know. If he only knew I was here with you while he thought he lucked out to get the Baltimare gig.”
“So, uh, he’s in Baltimare?” Golden Lace tried to force the subject back on him instead of on her. She wasn’t sure she was comfortable with the fact that this mare knew who she was, especially in that context.
“Oh yes, he got quite the cushy job there while I have to come here to compete for this one. He’s probably wrapping up now though. Don’t know what he’s doing after that.”
Golden Lace nodded. “Well, I’m glad things are going well for him.”
She was saved from the conversation when a stallion came to get her. “Golden Lace? This way, please.”
Golden Lace followed him into an office, where another pony she hadn’t met yet stood up. He introduced himself as the CEO, then he started talking about something, but Golden Lace wasn’t really listening.
Sunspot still talked about her? And as his Sunrise Girl, no less. And here Golden Lace was, biding her time until she could see him again only to be disappointed.
“Wouldn’t you agree?” the CEO asked.
Golden Lace blinked, realizing she had no idea what was being asked of her. She opened her mouth to form an answer, but the words that came out were, “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
“I… beg your pardon?” he asked as she stood up.
She turned back. “I think you should consider Stellar Flare’s offer carefully. The Spinning Wheel has a lot to offer.”
And with that, Golden Lace turned and walked out of the door. She didn’t know where Sunspot would be tomorrow, but today he was in Baltimare.
Golden Lace wasn’t stupid. She knew what she was doing, what this was all about. She wasn’t going to see a friend, she knew that.
It gave her pause. She’d be away from Canterlot longer than expected, and Brass Badge was sure to notice that even if they rarely talked. She had a plan already – she’d just stop by the post office and mail an overnight letter saying that she was going to be a few days longer than expected to sort out this deal. He wouldn’t question it.
But… she wasn’t stupid. She knew what that meant. She knew what would happen if she went to Baltimare, and she knew there was no undoing it once she did.
She stood in front of the post office with her letter tucked away into her saddlebag, and she didn’t know what to do.
She knew what she should do. She was a married mare, for better or worse. She should turn around, rip up this letter, and go back to Canterlot. She could see her husband, tell him that the deal fell apart, then put Sunspot out of her mind.
And Brass Badge? He wouldn’t even offer a word of condolence. If anything, he’d use it as ammo for why this whole business venture was a stupid idea. He’d speak to her with quiet derision or with raised voice, and that was all she would ever get from her husband.
Golden Lace took a deep breath, then she walked into the post office to mail her letter.
Baltimare was a big city, but she had contacts in the industry. There were only so many places a representative of The Spinning Wheel was likely to be, and so she would just have to check them all.
It wasn’t so bad. Along the way she was able to pick up a cheap bottle of perfume. It wasn’t anything fancy, something she’d never wear normally, but it was what she could get her hooves on with short notice.
And so smelling of lilacs, she asked a receptionist at a clothing company if a stallion named Sunspot was visiting. It was bound to work out eventually, so she wasn’t surprised to hear that he was. Elated, yes, but not surprised.
“And who should I tell him is here?” she asked.
“Sunrise,” Golden Lace said with a smirk. Sunrise Girl would obviously not be her name, so she improvised. “Sunrise Shimmer.”
The receptionist just nodded, unaware of the little joke, then she disappeared to send the message. Within a few minutes, she returned with Sunspot, who stared wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
Golden Lace just giggled. “Hey there, stranger.”
“You… Miss Lace, what are you doing here?”
Golden Lace pouted. “Miss Lace? Since when are you so formal?”
Sunspot chuckled and stepped closer. “I’m sorry, would you prefer Miss Shimmer?”
“Hmm, did you know it was me?”
“I had hopes at ‘Sunrise’, but ‘Shimmer’ threw me off.”
Golden Lace hugged him, breathing deep his scent. He didn’t wear cologne, but she didn’t mind. She liked the way he smelled just fine without it. “Well, I hope this is a welcome surprise at least.”
“Of course it is!” he said as he hugged her back. “And you’re just in time, we were just finishing up here.”
“Then perhaps we can do dinner?”
“I’d love to. Just let me grab my things.”
Sunspot disappeared briefly, giving Golden Lace the chance to check her reflection one more time in the shop window. Perfect, as she expected, but it never hurt to be sure.
He returned with a pair of saddlebags, and the two set off. “So what brings my Sunrise Girl to Baltimare?”
“Last minute business trip. I probably wouldn’t have bothered, but a coworker of yours mentioned that a certain somepony I knew was in town.”
“Well then I’m flattered. To whom do I owe my thanks?”
“I think she said her name was Stellar Flare?”
“Ah, Stellar sent you. I guess her teasing was worth it in the end then.”
Golden Lace wasn’t sure where Sunspot was leading them, but she didn’t question it. Everything just felt so much better around Sunspot.
“So where are you staying?” he asked as they walked.
Since she wasn’t sure what hotels there even were in the area, Golden Lace chose an excuse. “I’m not even sure yet. It was so last minute that they didn’t even book me a hotel, just gave me some bits to find one when I was in town.” She smiled as an idea occurred to her. “Where are you staying? I could get a room there.”
All she wanted was to be close to him, but Sunspot had another idea. “You could… Or you could save the bits and stay with me.”
Golden Lace’s smile faltered just a moment. She knew what that meant. But then, she knew what this was all about. Golden Lace wasn’t stupid.
“That sounds good. I wouldn’t mind saving a few bits.”
“Promise I’m a perfectly tolerable roommate. I don’t snore or anything.”
Golden Lace smiled again. “I have no doubts that you’re exemplary.”
The ceiling pattern received Golden Lace’s full attention. Better that than the bed, which was ever so slightly damp with sweat and other fluids. She wasn’t stupid, she had known this was coming.
So why did she feel so guilty? She had every chance in the world to avoid this, and yet she had chosen to go through with it. She had known what was going to happen, she had prepared for it. And only now did she regret it.
Only for a time, though. Then Sunspot rolled over and put his foreleg around her. Half asleep, he mumbled, “My Sunrise Girl…”
That made Golden Lace smile. Brass Badge had never once held her like this, even after they’d been intimate with one another. He’d never shown her much affection at all, for that matter.
She turned away from the ceiling, giving her attention to the wonderful stallion beside her instead. She curled up closer to him and breathed in his scent, stronger now from the sweat of the night’s actions. She closed her eyes and savored it, and she did not feel regret again.