//------------------------------//
// Thursday's Child Has Far to Go 
// Story: You've Been Summoned! 
// by WaywardSon 
//------------------------------//

Thursday Morning
Castle of Friendship, Ponyville

Starlight Glimmer slept soundly in her bed, dreams of flying kites with her friends dancing in her head. She was just getting a green and purple kite ready to fly when a face appeared on the side. "Starlight, wake up," it said, and the beautiful spring day vanished. 

She jumped up from her pillow, hooves flailing. "Wha, who, what, where?" she mumbled as reality replaced the dream and she found herself in her bed with Spike hovering over her. She groaned and laid her head back on the pillow again, draping a foreleg over her eyes. "Ohh, please tell me you woke me up to say Twilight decided to sleep in and I can do the same."

"No such luck," Spike said, sounding worried. "You might want to get to the library, quickly. She's come up with a new plan, and she's Twilighting hard."

Starlight raised her leg from her face, looking Spike in the eyes. "How hard?"

Spike pressed his claws together. "Stage three, at least."

She sighed and got out of bed. "Alright. Can you send word to the other girls? We might need them." Without waiting for an answer, her horn glowed and she vanished in a pale-blue flash.

Starlight reappeared in the castle library, looking around for her mentor. "Twilight!" she called, walking towards the central table. It was stacked high with spell books and books on magical theory, as well as roll after roll of paper and dozens of broken quills.

"Oh, good, Starlight, you're here," Twilight answered from above, flying down from one of the higher shelves with another book floating after her. It hovered in front of her after she landed, opening to the middle. "I think I came up with a way to find the pony who was summoned. It should be simple. I don't know why I didn't think of it before!"

Starlight approached cautiously, careful not to spook Twilight while she's in the manic stage. "I can see you've been busy." She paused, raising a brow, when Twilight floated up a lavender quill and made some notes on the paper. "Wait, Twilight, is that one of your feathers?"

Twilight looked up at her, then over to the quill. "Hmm? Oh, yeah, I ran out of quills last night. Don't worry, they aren't my primary feathers."

"They?" Starlight looked closer at the table, seeing at least a dozen broken purple feathers among the usual red quills. "Okay, Twilight, it's time to take a break. I'm sure you made lots of progress, but you can pick it up again after breakfast." When Twilight continued writing, she lit her horn to float her over, but she couldn't seem to get a grip.

"I cast an anti-levitation charm on myself to keep you from interrupting again," Twilight said casually. She then jabbed a period at the end of the line and smiled. "And besides, it's done!"

Starlight frowned, but walked around next to Twilight, looking at the page she'd written. "What's done, Twilight? What were you working on?"

She grinned back at Starlight, looking smug. "Only a locator spell to find the owner of that cutie mark."

Starlight's eyes widened. "Twilight, you know that's not how locator spells work." She stepped closer to read Twilight's hornwriting. "They can only find inanimate objects, not ponies." 

Twilight nodded. "That's what all the theory books said, so I modified one."

She glanced at the book Twilight had left open on the table. "And how does the history of glass making help with that?"

Twilight giggled, taking the paper and pointing at it with her quill. "That's the genius part! With these details about the process of making this kind of blue glass, I can filter out any other kind of glass when searching for this cutie mark. Since the castle was grown from the Tree of Harmony, I can use it as an amplifier to search all of Equestria at once!"

Starlight sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Twilight, you know better. This isn't going to find that cutie mark. It's going to fill your head with the location of every blue glass pitcher in Equestria."

Twilight blew a raspberry, waving off the idea. "Just watch, you'll see. Get ready to be impressed." She started powering her horn.

Starlight shrugged and floated over a chair. Sitting back, she conjured a bucket of popcorn and tossed a few pieces into her mouth. "Alright. Impress me."

Twilight focused on the scroll, her horn getting even brighter, then looked up at the peak of the crystal ceiling of the room. A steady beam of purple magic shot from her horn, saturating the crystals and quickly spreading through the walls. Outside, the entire castle pulsed with energy before it discharged out in all directions.

Twilight smiled smugly as the spell went out. "See? What'd I tell you? I should have the location any minute."

Starlight smirked. "Wait for it…" she said slowly.

Just then the wave of magic rebounded back into the castle and beamed straight into Twilight's horn. A bright flash filled the room before fading away.

Papers floated down over the books now scattered over the floor. Twilight lay on the floor, her eyes unfocused and her whole body pulsing with magic. A deep and pained groan rose from her lips.

Starlight stood and walked over, still munching on her popcorn. "Twilight? Are you okay down there?"

Twilight pressed a hoof against her forehead, trying to hold her brain inside her skull. "Ugh, I'm alright," she muttered. "I just never thought those blue pitchers were so popular."

The doors of the library burst open and their friends hurried in. "What in Equestria was that?" Rarity asked in disbelief.

"It's alright," Starlight called, helping Twilight to her hooves. "It was just Twilight's latest attempt to find the pony who got summoned." She helped her to lean against the table, then turned to the others. "I'm glad you're here, though. Twilight's a little wound up. She could really use some breakfast, and maybe a day at the spa."

Twilight groaned and tried to stand up straight, then fell back against the table. "I'm alright. I'll get it right the second time."

Starlight looked at Twilight when she spoke, then back to their friends. "Maybe not in that order. I'll clean up here and see if they arrive while she's away."

With a general cacophony of agreement, the five of them surrounded Twilight and guided her out of the room. Starlight looked around at the scattered books and papers, and sighed. "At least nothing exploded." She floated over the popcorn and ate a few more pieces.





Thursday Afternoon 
Cobalt's Apartment, Baltimare 

Cobalt lay on his couch watching the clock on his living room wall. The hands stood at 11:59 and the second hand swung up toward the top. "What will she make me do today?" he grumbled. "Five, four, three, two, one…"

The door unlocked with a jingle of keys. A perfunctory knock sounded as the door opened and Dusty Rose stepped inside. 

"Hi, Dusty," Cobalt called wearily, not looking but raising a hoof in a lackluster wave then letting it fall back to his side. "What fresh humiliation do you want to do today?"

Dusty frowned and moved through the kitchen. He heard water running as she said, "Cobalt, please tell me you haven't been lying on the couch all morning." The water shut off and she stepped into the living room with a vase full of roses.

"Of course not," he said with a yawn. "I was lying here most of the night, too."

Dusty sighed, setting the vase on the end table and turning it just right. "There's nothing like a nice rose to cheer a pony up." She looked at him. "Did you do anything other than lie there this morning?"

He shrugged. "I thought about my life."

"Oh, that's encouraging," Dusty said with a smile, sitting on the floor beside him. "Did you figure anything out?"

Cobalt gestured down at his glowing flank. "This is my life now. I'll never figure it out and I'll flash forever."

Dusty smirked. "Did you replace your cloak with a raincoat?"

He rolled his head over to look at her, eyes squinting in confusion. "Huh?"

"Nevermind, bad joke," she said, grinning. She patted his knee. "Now get up. We're going to be late to lunch."

"I'm not hungry," he grumbled, lying back on the arm of her couch. His belly rumbled, but he ignored it and pressed on. "You go ahead, I'll stay here." 

Dusty sighed and stood up. "Did you even eat breakfast today?"

"Yep," Cobalt answered immediately. "I cooked up some oats."

She just looked at him, raising a brow.

He sighed. "Alright! I finished the pizza."

Dusty rolled her eyes. "You know that'll give you heartburn, eating pizza that early. Even with all the veggies."

"I know, I know," he sighed. "I already took some antacid. I'm fine."

She stepped toward the entry, smiling. "Good, then you'll be ready for lunch. Hurry up. We can't keep Marigold waiting."

Cobalt sat up and looked at her, brows furrowed. "I thought you said Marigold was covering your shifts this week."

"She is," Dusty answered, looking back. "I saw her at the shop when I picked up the flowers. We got talking and she asked if you and I wanted to join her at the diner for lunch."

"I really don't want—" he started to object.

"So I said yes," Dusty finished.

Cobalt stared, open-mouthed. "Dusty! Why did you do that?"

She tilted her head, giving him that problem customer look. "Because she's your friend, too, and you haven't hung out with her in months. Now c'mon, she's working a double so she only has a half-hour." When he didn't stand right away she raised a brow. "Unless you want to make me a liar for saying you'd be there."

He sighed and stood up. "No, I don't want that," he grumbled. "Fine, I'll go to lunch." He grabbed his cloak off the chair.

Dusty frowned at the cloak, but held her tongue. She let him go out first, and closed the door behind them, locking it with her key.





Tricky Pickle Diner, Baltimare

The waitress approached the corner booth, her horn glowing as a tray floated in front of her. "Here you are, Mari. A clover, tomato and cheese on wheat, iced carrot juice, and…" Her smile turned knowing as she floated a very-full bowl to the table. "A double portion of mango slices." 

Marigold smiled at the sight, her mouth already watering. "That looks so delicious. Thanks, Honey Shine."

"I'm glad to take care of one of my favorite customers," she said, then glanced at the clock. "Did Dusty say when she and Cobalt would get here?" 

Marigold shook her head. "It should be soon. Would you put in their usual orders? Then we can skip fifteen minutes of Cobalt reading the menu before ordering the same thing."

Honey chuckled, nodding. "Sure thing, Mari," she said before adding in a sing-song voice as she walked away. "Enjoy your mangos."

She smiled. "You know I will." She picked up a slice and looked at the juicy, ripe fruit for a moment, then extended her tongue and laid the mango on it. She drew the slice into her mouth and her orange, feathery wings ruffled as her eyes rolled up, a little moan escaping her throat. "So good," she murmured after finally swallowing the mango down.

The door chimed and she looked up, seeing a smiling Dusty and a glum, cloaked Cobalt entering the diner. "Dusty!" she called and pushed out of the booth.

"Marigold!" Dusty called back, hurrying over to hug her friend. "Thanks for meeting us. Cobalt here…" she looked around, then stepped back to the door and led him forward. "Cobalt really needs to see some friends right now."

"I thought we were just coming to eat lunch," Cobalt grumbled, keeping his head down. He stopped when he saw orange legs, then looked up at Marigold's smiling face. "Hi, Marigold," he said flatly. "It's good to see you."

She chuckled. "Well you're a ray of sunshine today." She gave him a quick hug. "Come on. Honey is getting your usual together. Have a seat."

Cobalt sighed. "I don't have a usual. I like to order off the menu." 

Dusty and Marigold exchanged a bemused grin. "Of course, Cobalt," Marigold said. "Honey left one for you. Slide in." She slipped back into the booth, quickly snatching up another slice of mango.

Dusty chuckled as Marigold savored the mango and Cobalt slid back to the corner. "Treating yourself today, Mari?" she asked, sitting opposite her.

"Mmm, I thought I deserved it with the double shifts," she said, brushing a few strands of her red mane away from her eyes. "Thanks for that. The extra bits will help a lot."

"Does that mean I can have a piece?" Dusty asked, putting on her sweetest smile.

Marigold narrowed her eyes and curled a foreleg protectively around the bowl of mango. After a moment she sighed, a smile turning up her lips, and slid the bowl between them. "Only because I love you, Dusty."

Dusty picked up a slice. "Love you, too, Mari." She made a show of slowly enjoying the mango in a startlingly good impression of Marigold, and they both laughed.

Pulling the bowl back, Marigold turned to Cobalt, finding the menu hiding most of his face. "So, what've you been up to, Cobalt? I haven't seen you in months."

Cobalt raised a brow, frowning. "Dusty didn't tell you?" he grumbled. On the other side of the menu, Dusty's eyes widened, her mouth opening in surprise.

Marigold quickly glanced at Dusty's reaction, then turned her customer service smile to Cobalt. "She only said you needed her help for a few days. I've gotta admit, I'm curious if there's anything I can do, too."

"I don't want to talk about it," he said, looking back into the menu.

Dusty and Marigold shared a look before Dusty softly suggested, "Maybe it's a good idea—"

Cobalt lowered the menu. "I said I'd come have lunch," he snapped. "I don't want to talk about my problem with anypony else. Let's just—" 

"There's my favorite customers," Honey Shine said with a bright smile, a tray filled with plates and glasses floating alongside her. "Here you are, Dusty. Summer salad with raspberry vinaigrette and ginseng tea. And Cobalt—"

Cobalt pointed at the menu. "Yeah, I think I'll have—"

The menu floated out of his hooves and a couple plates of steaming food gently landed on the table. "Pan-fried oat cakes with mashed potatoes and green beans with slivered almonds. And some cranberry juice to drink." Honey smiled sweetly at him.

He narrowed his eyes, frowning. "Yes. That "

Honey tilted her head, her smile turning sad. "Aww, don't look that way, sweetie. You know if you want something different I'll swap it out for you right away."

Cobalt sighed. "This is fine. Thanks, Honey." 

"Anytime, Cobalt." She looked him over. "You must be broiling in that. Do you want me to hang up that cloak for you?" Her horn lit and the cloak started to lift off his back.

"No! Leave it alone!" Cobalt said far too loudly, grabbing the cloak and pulling it back over his flanks. Conversation stopped through the diner as ponies looked at them. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "No, thank you, Honey. I'll keep it."

Honey took a step back at the shout and let go of the cloak. "Suit yourself," she said cautiously. "Just flag me down if you need anything." With a last questioning look at Dusty and Marigold, she floated the tray back to the counter and picked up a coffee pot.

Dusty turned back to him. "Cobalt, I know you're feeling down, but that wasn't called for. Honey's a friend."

He glowered at her. "She almost showed everypony here. All the staring was bad enough."

"Showed everypony what, Cobalt?" Marigold asked, a concerned look on her face.

Cobalt opened his mouth to answer, paused, then sighed. "Nothing. Can we all just eat, please?"

Dusty and Marigold shared a concerned look. "Alright, let's eat," Dusty said and poured the vinaigrette on her salad. There was silence for a minute broken only by the sounds of utensils on plates.

Cobalt was just taking a bite of his oatcakes when a bowl slid over from Marigold's side of the booth. "Want the last piece?" she asked with a soft smile.

He pushed the bowl back to her. "I don't like mango," he said through the mouthful of food, then returned his attention to his plate.

Marigold's smile faded and she glanced at Dusty, who shared her expression. With a slight nod, Marigold popped the last piece in her mouth. There was little more conversation as they ate their lunch.





Prancerson Park, Baltimare

Foals laughed as they ran over the grass toward the playground, older ponies strolling after them at a more leisurely pace, chatting. Pegasi soared through the clear summer sky, dodging around the colorful kites flying over the ponies below. 

Dusty smiled and shaded her eyes with a hoof as she peered up at the kites. "Ooh, that one is gorgeous, isn't it, Cobalt?" she said cheerfully, pointing. "It looks just like a dragon."

Cobalt trudged along beside her, sweating profusely under his cloak. "They look fine," he replied without looking up. "Can I go home now? It's way too hot out here."

She glanced at him, side-eyed. "You know you can fix that problem anytime you want," She raised her head, mane waving gently in the wind. "The breeze is really nice."

"You know why I can't," he grumbled. "Everypony would see. It's too embarrassing to think about." 

Dusty sighed and stopped at a carrot dog cart, buying a bottle of water. "I still think it won't be that big of a deal," she said, loosening the cap and handing the bottle to him. "Most ponies will hardly notice."

Cobalt took the bottle, looking at her incredulously. "They aren't going to notice somepony's flanks flashing like a strobe light?" He took a long drink.

She shrugged. "They may notice, but most won't care. There might be some looks, maybe a few questions, but then they'll go on with their day."

He gasped for air, most of the bottle empty when he lowered it. "And then they tell all their friends about the freaky pony with the glowing rump, and by the next day the whole city knows." He shook his head. "I mean, how would you feel if it was your cutie mark flashing and everypony saw it?"

Dusty raised a brow. "Cobalt, I'm a florist." She turned to the side and pointed at her cutie mark; two pink roses edged with pale gold, their long stems intertwined. "If this was doing what yours is doing I'd probably beat our Hearts and Hooves Day sales numbers." 

"Great, so Soda Lime can make me a living billboard," he grumbled, walking on. "I want to make glass pitchers, not advertise them."

She rubbed her forehead, following him. "Cobalt, you have to stop seeing this as worse than it is. We'll work it out."

Off on the side a group of school ponies tried once again and failed to get a kite flying. After a moment of discussion, two pegasi flew up and started making a strong wind behind the kite. The gust lifted the kite, then blew hats off ponies and, finally, lifted Cobalt's cloak from his back, tossing it over his head.

Cobalt froze, his whole body tensing as he waited for the reaction he feared. He didn't have to wait, the murmurs of dozens of ponies reaching his ears. As he pulled the cloak off his head he heard a chorus of young voices saying, "Whoa, cool!" He looked and saw the forgotten kite crashing to the ground behind a half-dozen school ponies who stared with eyes wide as saucers. "How do you do that, mister?" a unicorn filly asked in awe.

He tossed the cloak back over his flanks and ran for the edge of the park at a full gallop. Dusty watched him go, then noticed the onlookers turning to her. "Um, next show is at 5, kids," she said uncertainly, forcing a smile. "Tip your waitress." Then she ran off after her friend amid many confused murmurs.

She slowed to a trot as she approached the edge of the park, looking from side to side for Cobalt. The sound of labored breathing brought her behind a groundskeeper's shed. Cobalt leaned against the wall catching his breath, sweat dripping from his muzzle. "There you are. If you're not going to take that off you can't go running around like that. You're going to pass out."

He shook his head, still panting for breath. "I couldn't, ah, stay there. Ah, it was just, ah, what I thought, ah, would happen."

Dusty sighed, positioning herself right in front of him. She smiled softly. "That's not what I saw, Cobalt. Nopony was laughing, just surprised. Those children even thought it was amazing. A few more minutes and everypony would have moved on."

Cobalt drew a deep breath, finally getting himself under control again. "It was excruciating, Dusty, having all those ponies staring at me. I couldn't take it even one more minute." He looked her in the eyes. "I just want to go home now."

She shook her head, standing up straight again. "Not yet. You need to cool off first. If you try to run home like this you'll fall over dead."

He rolled his eyes and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Dusty, please! I can't think of anything out here I want more than getting back to the apartment."

"I promise you'll like this, and it will cool you off at the same time." She held a hoof out to him. 

Cobalt sighed and took hold, pulling himself up off the wall.

Dusty smiled back at him. "Now c'mon. I want ice cream."





Freezing Saddles Creamery, Baltimare

Mint Chip and his two employees hurried about behind the counter in the cool interior of the ice cream parlor, filling cones for the line of ponies coming in from the summer heat. They moved in a practiced dance, greeting customers, scooping up their orders, and sending them off with a smile. Nopony waited long or left unhappy, with Mint Chip greeting many customers by name.

The bell over the door chimed and he looked up, ready to offer a warm welcome. On seeing Dusty Rose and Cobalt walking into his shop, his smile grew even wider. "Dusty! Cobalt! It's been too long. Come over here." He glanced at the shrinking number of customers then nodded to the others, who seamlessly altered their pattern to keep the line moving.

Mint Chip stepped out from behind the counter, wiping his hooves on his apron. "Dusty!" Pulled her into a hug. "Good to see you again so soon."

"How can I stay away from my favorite treats?" Dusty said, smiling, before pulling back from the hug. "And my favorite ice cream maker."

Mint chuckled and turned to Cobalt. "Cobalt, buddy!" He hugged him briefly, then stepped back and looked him over ear to hoof. "Whoa, you look like a melted creamsicle."

Cobalt's ears drooped and he sighed. "Thanks, buddy. You always know the perfect thing to say," he deadpanned. 

Mint chuckled. "For you? Of course." He ushered them over to a table. "Where have you been keeping yourself? I haven't seen you in months."

"Been busy," he mumbled, sitting down and carefully making sure his cloak stayed over his flanks.

Dusty jumped into the conversation, smiling. "With work, he means. But he just got some unexpected time off, so I'm getting him to catch up with his friends."

Cobalt shot her a look, eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to just sit around in my apartment alone, would I?"

"We just had lunch with Marigold a little while ago," she continued, ignoring the comment.

Mint grinned, seemingly oblivious to the tension. "Ooh, if you see her again let her know I just put some of her favorite in the freezer to set. I'll save a little for her, but vanilla mango goes fast."

Dusty smiled brightly. "Oh, she'll be so happy. You might want to start on another batch before she gets here." They both laughed, while Cobalt sat there and frowned.

"We just came in to cool off," Cobalt said abruptly.

They both looked at him, Dusty's eyes narrowed and Mint raised a brow. "Sure thing, Cobalt," he said. "What's with the cloak? You'd be halfway there if you took it off."

Cobalt sighed. "Look, Chip," he said wearily. "We've known each other since we were foals. Can you just not ask about the cloak? Please, for me?"

Mint Chip looked into his eyes for a moment, then nodded. "Of course, buddy. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't pry." Then he smiled again. "But that means you need some ice cream! I know just the thing, your favorite." He turned to the counter.

"No, Chip, wait," Cobalt said urgently. "We just had lunch. I'm way too full for something that big. A vanilla cone would be fine."

"Oh, I can help eat it," Dusty chimed in, smiling at Cobalt. "It's just what I had in mind." 

Cobalt stared at her for a moment, then his shoulders drooped and he rubbed his forehead. "Fine. We'll split it."

Mint Chip grinned. "There, it's settled. One Baltimare Mint coming up!" He trotted back behind the counter and started dishing up the ice cream.

Dusty turned back to Cobalt, her smile dropping away. "What's the problem?" she asked quietly. "You know he loves making Baltimare Mints for you. It's his signature dish, and you helped him develop it."

"I said it was fine," he grumbled. "I'll eat it if it makes you both happy."

She frowned. "Wait, if it makes us happy? What do you mean? It's your favorite."

"Dusty, just drop it!" he hissed, trying to keep his voice low. "Let's have the ice cream and cool off, then I can go home."

A puzzled expression crossed her face. "Alright, we'll get you home after this, if that's what you want. Let's just try not to weird Chip out anymore than you already have."

His eyes narrowed. "Fine "

Mint Chip returned with a big smile and an even bigger bowl of ice cream. "Here we are, The Baltimare Mint! Five scoops of various mint ice creams, whipped cream, gold sprinkles, and mint-chocolate bit coins covered in luster dust." He set the glittering dessert between them, along with two spoons. 

Dusty smiled at him, digging into her saddlebag. "That looks fantastic! How much do I—"

Mint waved her off, shaking his head. "Put that away, Dusty." He gestured to Cobalt with an even bigger smile. "You know the co-creator of the Baltimare Mint doesn't pay for them."

Cobalt forced a smile back at him. "Thanks, buddy. You really don't have to do that, but I appreciate it."

Mint Chip glanced over his shoulder as the door jingled, about a dozen ponies walking in. "Alright, I need to get back. Good to see you, Cobalt, Dusty. Enjoy the Mint." With that he hurried back behind the counter, greeting a customer with a smile.

Dusty beamed, turning back to Cobalt. "He's still one of the nicest ponies I know."

"Yeah, he's a delight," Cobalt said flatly, picking up one of the chocolate coins and looking at it. "These used to be regular chocolate. Let's eat this thing so I can go."

Dusty looked at him as he popped the coin in his mouth. "Okay, Cobalt," she said, picking up her spoon. "Let's eat. It's been a long day for you."





Thursday Evening 
Cobalt's Apartment, Baltimare

Dusty opened the door and let Cobalt by before bringing in some carryout bags. She turned into the kitchen while he eagerly pulled off his cloak, breathing hard, and hung it over the little table in the entryway. His saddlebags followed and he sighed. "That's so much better."

Dusty unpacked noodle cartons and sauces from the bag onto the table. "You know, Cobalt, I hate to see you torturing yourself with that cloak. I really don't think you need it."

"I wouldn't have needed it if you let me stay home today," he said, stepping into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of orange juice, taking a long drink directly from it.

She stepped into the living room. "I keep telling you, Cobalt," she called, returning a moment later with the vase of roses she'd brought, positioning it in the middle of the table. "It's not healthy for you to sit around in your apartment alone wallowing in misery. You need to get out some."

Cobalt groaned, getting down glasses. "Dusty, why won't you listen to me? I don't want everypony to know about this. Can you understand how embarrassing this is?" He poured a glass of orange juice, then held up the bottle. "Want some?"

Dusty looked at him and the drops of juice still on his muzzle. "I'll pass," she said with a little grimace. "And I really don't know why you think it's so embarrassing. Sure, you get some more attention, but that's it."

He set his glass on the table with a solid thunk. "I keep telling you, Dusty, I don't want the attention. I'm happy when I can just make things, and this took that away!"

"It doesn't have to, Cobalt," she pressed. "I know Soda Lime will let you come back, even if we can't figure this out."

"Yeah, and what if she doesn't?" He turned away, visibly shaking as he held on. "What if we never figure this out and I'm out of a job?"

She stepped up, placing a hoof on his shoulder. "We will, Cobalt. You, me, and our friends. That's why I took you out today, to remind you that you have friends willing to help."

He shrugged off her hoof, turning back to her. "And to humiliate me in the park? Was that part of your plan?"

"That was an accident, Cobalt!" Dusty insisted. "And nopony laughed or made fun of you. Those foals were awestruck by you."

He pressed a hoof to the bridge of his nose. "I don't care what the foals thought!" He shouted. Then he caught himself, lowering his voice again. "What have I said that even remotely makes you think I would be okay with what happened?"

She frowned, sighing. "I know you're not. I'm just saying what you said was the worst possible thing happened already, and wasn't nearly as bad as you thought. Try to see that."

"It was, Dusty!" He said, frustration in every syllable. "Everypony was looking at me. Everypony was judging me. Even Mari and Chip were, too." He lowered his head, ears dropping.

Dusty stepped in closer. "They weren't judging you, Cobalt. They were trying to figure out why you were suddenly being such a jerk to them!" She turned and stepped away, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder. "I am, too, by the way."

He furrowed his brows. "How was I a jerk to you?" 

"Really?" she asked incredulously. "What was that about with Mari, saying that you thought I told her your problems?"

He rolled his eyes. "Well that's how you got her to come to lunch, wasn't it? So she could show some pity and take a peek for herself?"

Dusty listened, disgusted. "You are my best friend in all Equestria, Cobalt! You can't seriously believe I would tell anypony your business like that!"

"Then why did she come?" he shouted back.

She pulled her mane back from her face, giving a frustrated snort. "Because she's your friend, you dope! She said it herself. All I said was that you needed my help, and she thought of meeting at the diner for lunch to see if she or Honey could do anything."

His eyes narrowed. "Well it looks like they didn't do a good job, did they?"

Dusty looked up, shaking with frustration. "For the love of…" She took a breath. "Let's just eat. I think we'll both be better off if we're not talking for a few minutes."

"Fine," Cobalt said, stepping back into the main part of the kitchen. "You get started and I'll find something in the fridge."

She furrowed her brow, gesturing to the noodles on the table. "Why? I didn't buy all this for myself."

He gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath. "Because those are from the place next door, and I told you yesterday that I don't like them." 

She sat at the table, dishing up some noodles. "That's ridiculous. You said you don't like the smell of their dumpster. Their food is delicious. Come eat."

Cobalt stepped over, pulling back his chair. "Sure, why not. What you say goes, right Dusty?" He dumped some noodles into his bowl. 

She set the container down, staring back at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing at all," he said sarcastically. "I tell you I want to stay in, you guilt me into going out. I say I don't like the noodles, that's what we get. I say I don't want the Baltimare Mint, you tell Chip to bring it."

Dusty started to respond angrily, then frowned. "Wait, why wouldn't you want a Baltimare Mint? Didn't you help come up with the idea?"

He rolled his eyes. "I tossed some ideas around with Chip when he was getting started, and he ran with it. That doesn't mean I want to eat it."

"But it's all you ever get there."

"I don't like mint!" Cobalt shouted.

Dusty's eyes widened. "What? But he's your oldest friend!"

He shook a hoof. "Arrgh! Not the pony, Mint. The flavor, mint. I've never liked it!"

She stared back at him. "Why haven't you told Chip?"

"The same reason I go along with everything you say. I don't want to hurt his feelings." He shook his head. "What an idiot I am, huh? A real dope? Worrying about my friends."

Dusty's expression softened. "Cobalt, you need to say something. We can't—"

"Say something?" he interrupted, "I've said something all week! It doesn't matter. You always get your way."

She bit back her first response, swallowing the lump rising in her throat. "I'm just trying to help you," she said. "If you don't like it, you don't have to do what I say."

"Like it would stop you!" he shouted, standing up. "I kept telling you I wanted to stay in, but Dusty knows best and out we go!"

She stood up, leaning over the table. "You're a grown stallion, Cobalt! You have to stand up for yourself if you don't like something."

Cobalt glared at her. "You want me to stand up for myself?" he said. "Fine. I'm staying in tomorrow. I don't like these noodles." He grabbed the closest container and threw it at the trashcan, splattering noodles on the wall above as it fell in. "And I don't want a bunch of dying flowers all over my apartment!" He grabbed the flowers in his teeth, knocking the vase over and soaking the surface of the table as he turned to the trashcan and spat them in.

Dusty's mouth opened wide, shock on every bit of her face. She turned away, walking into the living room. "If you don't appreciate why I did all this, maybe I should go," she said, letting anger cover her hurt.

Cobalt followed close on her hooves. "Tell me why, Dusty. I really want to know why you did this."

She turned around with an exasperated growl. "Arrgh, because I'm trying to help you, you dope!"

"You're doing a terrible job of it," he spat the words back in her face. "I'd be a lot better off without a friend like you!"

Dusty gasped, her head jerking back like she'd been slapped. Her eyes glistened as she stared back at him, mouth open. She didn't speak, but set her jaw and turned around, walking briskly to the door. Grabbing her saddlebags, there was a jingle as she paused by the table. She set something firmly on top then pulled the door open.

Cobalt watched from where he stood, the anger slowly fading from his features. When the door opened he reached out a hoof. "Dusty? Wait, I—"

The door slammed shut, and hoofsteps quickly moved away down the hall.

He stood there, staring at the door with his hoof raised, his body shaking. Eventually he moved again, walking fearfully to the entryway table. There, right in the middle, was his spare apartment key.

Dusty's key.

Cobalt felt his heart pounding in his chest and his throat drying up. "Dusty?" he whispered, then swallowed down the lump in his throat. "Dusty!" he called out, opening the door and rushing down the hall. He nearly tripped down the stairs before pushing open the front doors, looking frantically up and down the block. "Dusty!" he shouted.

There was no answer, only ponies walking by and looking curiously at him and his glowing cutie mark. After a minute his ears drooped and he sighed, then opened the door and trudged back inside.

Around the corner, Dusty Rose leaned against the brick wall of the noodle shop and wept.