//------------------------------//
// Chapter 19 
// Story: I Love the Star in You 
// by Twilyx360 
//------------------------------//

Shining groggily woke up but didn’t open her eyes. She had a headache and her throat felt sore.

She moved her hoof around and couldn’t feel Argyle. “Argyle!” Shouted Shining.

And Argyle walked in and asked “Are you awake?”

“I feel awful…” Said Shining.

“I figured. You went through a lot yesterday. So, I made some tea.” Argyle placed a teacup in her hoof. And she drank it up.

The steam and hot flavor helped a lot. And she finally opened her eyes. “That’s excellent.” She smiled.

Argyle put the kettle down on the nightstand. And Argyle hopped in the bed with her and cuddled with her.

“You have a nice house, Shining.

So, you want to stay here a little longer to find the unicorn crystal?” Asked Argyle putting his unicorn disguise back on.

“Yes” said Shining, feeling confident.

“Good. And hey, thank you again.” Said Argyle.

“I know love.” Shining said leaning into him.

===

Two weeks went by, and they had no luck.

So, one night they went to the main tavern and talked it over.

“Well. You still think we can find it?” Asked Shining.

“I don’t know Shining. I don’t even remember what they look like at this point.

If they hadn’t sold it off already.” He said.

“We asked around, followed where they took us. What else can we do?

Should we just go back now?” Asked Shining.

Argyle sighed and ultimately decided. “Yeah. It’s not like we can just wait for that crystal to get to us.”

“Ok…

I hope this place doesn’t make you uncomfortable.” Said Shining, placing her head on the table.

“I don’t Shining. I never did.

In fact, I want to come back here in the future. The crystal may be out of our hooves, but I feel our business here isn’t over.” Said Argyle smiling.

“You were right though.

Unicorns just want to matter to somepony.

Those hunters were nothing special. But they probably went the extreme route to feel something. Anything.

And well… when they didn’t see me saving you. I went extreme… Now I know why it was so bad to do that.

And why I simply left here instead of doing something worse.” Said Shining.

“Shining. You still found me.

And you matter to me. More than any other pony.

Do you still believe that?” Asked Argyle.

“Of course, I do.” She reached her hoof over to Argyle. “I promise bridlewood will be a much happier place.” Said Shining.

She walked from her table and over to an aqua colored stallion sitting alone at a table. Staring off.

“Hey are you ok?” Asked Shining.

He looked like he was about to cry. He sighed and said. “I don’t know…

You see that mare over there? Her name is Lilian, and well, I… I” he stuttered.

“You like her, don’t you?” Asked Shining.

He sighed, blushed and buried his face in his hooves. “Yeah… But I just can’t bring myself to talk to her.

What do you think would happen if I did..?”

“Maybe she’ll be delighted.” Said Shining.

Suddenly his eyes bugged out of his head. “Why me..?” He asked.

“Well, you’re sad and alone here tonight. She’s clearly sad and alone. Maybe she’d just like some company.

Do you think things might not be so bad if you tried? You could at least say you made something of yourself if you did.

I know it’s not realistic to think too positively about things. But… isn’t being too negative not realistic either?”

And he stood up. Looking at her strangely.

“Who are you?” He asked.

“I’m Shining Star.” She said.

The Stallion looked at his hooves, then back at the mare, then took a deep breath. “And I am Kyle, Kyle Moonbow.”

Suddenly the stallion walked over to the table she was sitting at. And immediately got her attention. While Shining sat back down with Argyle.

They watched as the two hit it off. The two unicorns chatted for an hour. Laughing and smiling.

Argyle smiled at Shining. He sat up and held her hoof. “I love you.” He said as he kissed her. And she smiled.

And the two walked out of the tavern. Smiling and hugging as they went back to her house to pack.

===

The very next day the two left Bridlewood to return home. Empty hoofed but still feeling accomplished.

Three days later they returned to Maretime Bay.