“Ok, fire’s going, water’s boiling, turbines spinning, using helium instead of hydrogen, pistons working, and…” Violet said as he worked on his news contraption.
*BOOM*
The machine exploded in a cloud of smock. Violet quickly turned on the fan and removed his goggles. He levitated over a clean rage and whipped the soot from his face.
“Um, Hello?” A gray mare called from the entrance to the garage.
“Huh, oh Hi.” He said as he whipped the oil off his hooves.
“I headed you were looking for me.” The cross eyed mare said shifting her hooves worried that she did something wrong.
“Ya, um your name is Derpy Hooves right?” Violet asked and Derpy nodded. “Well, I wanted to apologize for tackling you yesterday. You could have been hurt in that explosion and I heard that you were late for some of your deliveries. So I was wondering if you would like to join me for lunch.”
“Oh,” Derpy said happily with a flap of her wings. “That sounds nice, where did you have in mind?”
“How about that restraint on Mane st?” He asked.
“Ok.” The gray mare said as they started walking.
“Have you decided what to order?” A cream colored Earthpony wearing an apron asked.
“Yes, I’ll have a daisy sandwich and some water.” Violet said putting his menu down.
“Very good and you?” The waiter asked turning to Derpy.
“I’ll have the hayfries and some water as well.” Derpy said also putting her menu down.
“Alright, I will be back with your orders shortly.” The waiter said as he picked up the menus and walked away.
“So you were saying?” Violet said when the waiter left.
“Well, I live here in Ponyvile with my little sister Dinky. I work for the Equestria mail system but I guess you already knew that. I’m a bit of a cluts and because of that I get yelled at a lot and got the nickname Ditzy Doo. But I don’t really like that name because it makes me sound stupid.” She said a little sad.
“Well that’s mean of them.” Violet said concerned look on his face.
“Ya, but I try to not let it bother me.” Derpy said as the waiter came back with their food.
“Here you are; one daisy sandwich and one order of hayfries.” He said as he put the food down on the table and poured water into the glasses sitting on the table.
“Thanks.” Violet said before biting into his sandwich.
“So what about you?” The mail mare asked when the waiter left. “What’s your story?”
“Well, I was born and raised in the Industrial District of Manehatten. My father was a lead mechanic in the Airship yards and my mother was a master clock maker. We weren’t poor but we weren’t rich either. Anyway I got my Cutie Mark when I fix our old family clock that gave even my mom a hard time.” He said with a laugh.
“They sound nice. Where are they now?” Derpy asked as she ate her hayfries.
“They’re…not with us anymore.” Violet said sadly looking down.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She said looking away sorry that she brought up a painful subject.
“It’s ok, you didn’t know. I don’t mind talking about it anyway.” The Craftspony said dismissively, calming the gray mare down a bit.
“That’s good.” Derpy said relived. “So…how did they die?” She asked cautiously.
“Well, about a year after I got my Cutie Mark, we were offered a free trip on the maiden voyage of the Airship Sky Queen, from Manehatten to Fillydelphia, after my dad did such a bang up job on it and he gratefully accepted. About half way through the flight the ship was attacked by Griffin Airship Pirates and in all the commotion I got separated from my parents. When I managed to make it back to our room I came face to face with the dread pirate Sharp Wing. Surprisingly he spared my life but he had killed both my parents. I still have no idea why he spared me, probable because about that time we were passing by Canterlot and the royal guards must have received our distress call because he fled the ship just before they arrived.“ He said with a sigh.
“Iron Thorn, a friend of my dad and my godfather, took care of me after that. He took me up as his apprentice fixing Airships when I was old enough and taught me a lot of what I know. After we finished the Airship Lunar Dream, I was given the title “Master Craftspony” and he bought me the shop here in Ponyvile.” Violet said finishing his story.
“Wow.” Derpy said as she finished her hayfries.
“The bill sir.” The waiter said as he placed a small tray with the bill and two mints on the table and took the plates away.
“Let me just get this.” He said as he placed a couple of bits on the tray and took one of the mints.
“Thanks, again for the lunch.” Derpy said as she got up and took the other mint.
“You’re welcome, and you know, I had a good time hanging out with you.” Violet said as they walked out of the restraint.
“Really? I mean you don’t mind my crossed eyes?” She asked in surprise.
“I grow up in the Industrial District of Manehatten remember, I know ponies with only one eye. So do you really think I’m going to care if somepony has crossed eyes or not? Besides I think they make you look distinguished.” he said reassuringly.
“Really? Thanks.” Derpy said happily.
“Why hello there.” Rarity called as she walked out of her store and saw Violet walking up the street.
“Hi there Ms. Rarity. How’s the sewing machine?” Violet asked as he walked up to her.
“It’s working wonderfully darling, why I think it works better than it did before.” The white unicorn said enthusiastically.
“Well that’s good to hear. Anyway I got to get back to my shop.” Violet said.
“Of coerce dear, sorry to hold you up. Just one thing?” she said as he started to turn to leave.
“Yes?” He said turning to look at her.
“Do try to Not blow yourself up.” She said with a small giggle.
“Ya, I’ll try.” Violet said with a laugh as he turned to leave.
“Wow, he sounds really nice.” A mint green unicorn mare said sitting in a chair like one of the human in one of her many fantasy books.
“Ya, he does Derpy and he doesn’t have a problem with your eyes?” A cream colored Earthpony mare asked.
“Thanks Lyra and no he doesn’t Bonbon, in fact he said that they make me look distinguished.” Derpy said happily.
“Ok Derpy, it’s just that you tend to fall in love a little too easily and usually end up getting hurt.” Bonbon said worriedly.
“It’s not like that, we’re just friends.” She said even though she knew she was starting to get stronger feelings towards him.
“What was his name again? Violent Runner?” Lyra asked.
“It’s Violet Runner, and he owns the shop; Steam & Clockworks.” Derpy said as she took a muffin from a plate on the table.