Eyes On You

by UnlicensedBrony

13 - Departure (Twilight)

The entrance bell chimed as Twilight pushed into her friend's place of work. Graciously, the large room into which she walked was devoid of ponies, unless she counted the three mannequins against the opposite wall, displaying some particularly interesting new designs. Just as well that there was no-one there – Twilight wanted to do this in private.

Right on cue, a familiar voice drifted out from one of the side rooms.

“Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chiq, unique and ma-- Oh!” Rarity broke off as she stepped into the main room and caught sight of Twilight. “Why hello, Twilight! What brings you here so early? Have you finally decided to model for me? I'm telling you, darling, with a figure like yours, you'd be just perfect for it!”

Twilight gave a little chuckle at the compliment. “Sorry, Rarity, but not today. I just came to ask your advice about something.”

Rarity's face brightened. “Aha! Even better!” She gestured towards the room from which she'd just come. “Right this way, darling. You can get comfortable while I make us some tea.”

Twilight made no objection as she followed her friend into the much smaller room, which looked as if it had been designed with this exact situation in mind. There was a small, glass table in the centre, flanked by an elegant, half-circle couch which looked particularly welcoming. The walls were dotted with restful pictures of landscapes, and the quaint little window in the far wall let in just enough sunlight to give everything a relaxing glow. Twilight quickly decided that she liked this room very much.

She took her seat on the couch as Rarity zipped off through yet another doorway, presumably to prepare the tea. Twilight had barely settled in before the fashionista returned with two steaming cups hovering beside her and with a warm smile adorning her lips. “Just the way you like it, darling,” she declared as she set Twilight's cup down on the table and took a seat beside her.

Twilight magically lifted her teacup to her lips and took a sip, smiling at the hot, sweet taste. “Mmm. Perfect, Rarity. Thank you,” she said.

Rarity smiled back and nodded. “Of course. Now, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?”

Having already planned out what she was going to say in advance, Twilight didn't hesitate. She lowered her teacup and met Rarity's eye. “Have you heard of the Manehattan Display?”

“Heard of it? Why, of course I have!” said Rarity brightly. “I attended last year's, and I must admit that it was very exciting. Unfortunately, I'm much too busy to go again this year. Why do you ask, darling? Are you going?”

Twilight nodded and took another sip of tea. “I am. And... so is Trixie.” She cast a meaningful look in Rarity's direction.

The fashionista blinked a few times, but her smile didn't falter. “So... you're going together?” she asked. Her voice had an unusual, squeaky twang to it.

“W-We are,” said Twilight, turning her eyes back to her cup. Even though the conversation was going exactly as planned, she was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. The silence wasn't doing much to help that.

“Darling,” Rarity began carefully. “Am I to understand that the two of you are going as... partners?”

Twilight almost spat out her tea. She quickly gulped it down and looked across at Rarity. “H-How did you know that?!”

Rarity pursed her lips, as if trying to stop herself from smiling. It didn't work very well. “I didn't. I guessed. You came here to ask for my advice about something, so it stands to reason--” She shook her head. “--Oh, but it doesn't matter, darling – this is absolutely wonderful news!”

“...It is?” said Twilight sceptically. She'd expected her friends to be understanding, of course, but she hadn't expected that Rarity would actually be excited about the idea.

“But of course!” said Rarity. “It will be good for the two of you to get out and do something together, rather than hanging around in that stuffy library all the time. Not that there's anything wrong with your library, of course!” she added hastily as Twilight threw her a look.

“So, you... approve?” Twilight managed.

“Darling, I'm insulted that you think I'd do anything but!” said Rarity, though the smile in her voice told no tale of it. “If you don't mind my asking, when exactly did you two become... er... more than friends?”

Twilight shifted uncomfortably. 'Why does everypony keep calling it that?'

The memory of the night they became partners was, of course, still burned into Twilight's mind. Part of her wanted to tell Rarity everything, but another part of her said that there was an element of privacy to the memory, that warranted keeping it between herself and Trixie.

Rarity obviously noticed Twilight's hesitation, because she shook her head and took on an apologetic tone. “Forgive me, darling, I didn't mean to pry--”

“No, no, it's fine,” said Twilight, setting her teacup down on the table. “It was about a week or two ago, I don't really remember. One day, when we were out for a walk, she just pulled out the invitation and... asked me to compete with her.” Twilight punctuated the awkward end of her short explanation with a shrug.

Rarity's eyes stopped smiling. “Wait... what do you mean 'compete with her'?”

“Sorry, I meant alongside her,” Twilight corrected with a smile. She could see how that would be confusing, having just said that they were partners.

But Rarity still stared blankly.

After a long moment had passed, Twilight raised an eyebrow. “In the Display,” she tried. “As partners.”

Another pause, then Rarity gasped in realisation. “Oh! You... You meant partners as in-- W-Well, of course that's what you meant, I just-- Oh, how silly of me to assume, I... I...” She started stammering out half sentences in a vain attempt to... well, Twilight wasn't really sure what she was trying to achieve.

Twilight, hopelessly lost, magically grasped hold of Rarity's teacup and offered it to the panicking white unicorn. Rarity grabbed it without hesitation and took a great gulp, downing the entire thing before letting out a content sigh. She turned to offer Twilight a sheepish smile.

“I'm ever so sorry, darling. I-I'm not sure what came over me,” Rarity muttered. “It's just that you've been spending so much time together lately, I--” She looked down at her empty teacup. “Well, I assumed. I'm sorry.”

Twilight bit her lip. “Um... that's okay?” she guessed. “If this weird then I can go and ask somepony else--”

“No, no, that won't be necessary,” said Rarity with a shake of her head. She smiled at Twilight. “Tell me, darling, what was it that you wanted me to advise you upon? If not your... partnership.”

Having the conversation refocussed was a huge relief to Twilight, who was quick to return the smile and take another sip of her tea. “I was just wondering whether I should tell our friends. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy...”

'Rainbow Dash,' her mind silently filled in.

“Well, that depends,” said Rarity. “What is it that you want from them?”

“I... I don't want anything from them,” said Twilight honestly. “I just want to tell them so that they don't worry, or think that I'm hiding things from them. But I also don't want to make it seem like a big deal, and I definitely don't want it to seem like I'm... bragging about it... Does that make sense?”

Considering her track record with that question, she wasn't expecting a helpful answer. Rarity, however, offered a wider and warmer smile, as if she understood completely.

“It makes perfect sense,” she said kindly, laying a hoof on Twilight's fetlock. “You are, by far, the sweetest, most modest unicorn I've ever met, Twilight Sparkle. Don't trouble yourself with trying to explain to our friends, I will take care of everything--” She leant in to whisper conspiratorially. “--I'll even make sure that Pinkie Pie doesn't throw you a Ponyville-wide 'Good Luck' party.”

Twilight couldn't help but giggle at that. “Oh, Rarity...” She leant in and pulled her friend into a gentle hug, which was happily returned. “Are you sure that's not too much trouble?”

“Don't be silly, darling,” said Rarity dismissively. “It will be my pleasure. But--” She pulled back from the hug. “--I am going to want something in return...”

Twilight's smile fell as her eyes met with Rarity's serious expression. “O-Oh? What--”

“When you get back,” Rarity began. “We must sit down for tea again so that you can tell me everything about the Display.” She finished by flashing a warm smile.

Stifling a relieved chuckle, Twilight smiled back at her. “Of course I will, Rarity. I promise.”

Rarity stood up and levitated the two teacups with her. “Good! It's a promise then.” With that, she set off towards the doorway from behind which she'd produced the tea.

Twilight got to her hooves as well and stretched a little, sighing as she felt something of a load lifted from her back.

About half-way across the room, Rarity stopped. “Oh, Twilight?” she said, turning to look over her shoulder. “While I am happy to take care of telling our friends, it would be best if you were the one to tell Spike, don't you think? He might find it a little odd if I told him that you were going away for a week, considering that you live together and all...”

Twilight giggled. “Somehow, I don't think he'd mind,” she said jokingly. “But you're right. Of course I'll tell him.”

Twilight stood, staring blankly at the calendar in front of her as she thought back to that day. Almost a week had passed since then, though it hardly felt like that long – hours had played into days as the date of the Display seemed to approach ever faster, and now time had run out...

She shook her head and folded her calendar carefully into her saddlebag, before turning to look around the library's lobby at large. It was the last time she was going to see this place for just over a week... she had a feeling that she was going to miss seeing all of her books each morning.

'Maybe there's space in my bags for just a few more,' she mused, trotting up to the nearest bookshelf to pick out a few titles. Something in the way of advanced magic theory sounded like just the kind of thing she needed--

“What're you doing?” came Trixie's voice.

“Nothing!” cried Twilight, spinning in place and putting on her best innocent smile. Trixie was smirking down at her from the top of the stairs, with her cape fastened around her neck and flowing down over her flank. She looked every bit as lovely as usual, apparently having just allowed herself some more time in front of the mirror. That made Twilight feel a lot less guilty about having done the same herself.

Trixie turned and dashed down the staircase, cape billowing out behind her. She galloped right up to Twilight's side before grinding her hooves to a halt and throwing a triumphant smirk towards her partner.

“I'll bet it feels good to be able to do that again,” said Twilight with a smile.

Trixie closed her eyes and took a relaxed breath. “You have no idea.”

Taking a step to the side, Twilight noticed that Trixie wasn't wearing any saddlebags herself. “Hmm? Aren't you bringing anything?” she asked.

“I don't have anything to bring,” said Trixie plainly, turning to meet Twilight's eyes. “This cape is really the only thing I have.”

“Oh...” Twilight muttered. She felt a little silly to have asked, knowing that Trixie'd had nothing with her when she arrived. It was actually kind of sad, now that she thought about it...

'I'll get her something in Manehattan,' Twilight decided with a smile.

“What about you?” asked Trixie. “Are you done with your last-minute packing? Or do you think you can fit a few more books into those saddlebags?” She nodded towards the bags in question, on the floor beside the nearest table, which were already bulging.

“I might!” said Twilight defiantly, prompting a giggle from Trixie.

Twilight trotted over and slipped into the saddlebags, fastening them around her waist with magic before turning to look up at the clock. It was just past noon. Their carriage would be arriving in Ponyville right about now...

Something bumped into her side, keeping her from slipping into thought. Throwing a sidelong look in Trixie's direction, she saw a playful smile on the showmare's face. “Not getting homesick already, are you?” Trixie teased.

Twilight rolled her eyes to dismiss the jeer, only for her gaze to settle on her favourite bookshelf across the room. “...Maybe a little,” she admitted. “This will be the first time I've left Ponyville since I came to live here. It's... kind of intimidating.”

“It's only for a week, Twilight. You'll be back here in no time,” said Trixie coolly. She paused, then flicked back her mane. “Besides, there's no need to be intimidated – I'll be there to protect you.”

Twilight smiled and chuckled at that. “Well, when you put it that way, I guess it'd be silly for me to worry.”

“Exactly,” said Trixie with finality. “Now, are we going to meet this carriage or aren't we?”

The carriage – which very much resembled a covered wagon – waited for them on the outskirts of town, but it wasn't the only thing that waited there. Four familiar ponies and a certain baby dragon were all messily lined up nearby, and they offered smiles to Twilight and Trixie as they approached via the trail that lead out from the library.

Trixie gave Twilight a sidelong look as they drew near to the group of friends. “I'll go ahead,” said the showmare quietly. “You can say your goodbyes.”

Twilight nodded her approval, and Trixie veered off towards the carriage whilst Twilight continued on towards her friends. She returned their smiles. “Girls, you really didn't have to come and see me off,” she said, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “But... I'm glad you did.”

“Undomesticated anthropoids couldn't keep us away, darling,” said Rarity kindly, a statement which the others mirrored in their smiles alone.

“I made cupcakes!” Pinkie declared, bouncing forwards to present the small box atop her back. “Rarity made me promise not to throw a party for you, but she didn't say anything about presents!” She stuck her tongue out at the fashionista, who gave a ladylike eye roll in response.

“Oh, thank you, Pinkie Pie,” said Twilight as the party pony passed over the box. Twilight balanced it atop her own back with magic before crossing necks with Pinkie in a careful hug. “That's really sweet of you.”

Pinkie pulled back and gave Twilight a quizzical look. Then, after a moment, she beamed and let out a short laugh. “Ha! I get it! Good one, Twilight!”

“Huh?” was all Twilight managed as the pink ball of excitement stepped back, chuckling to herself.

Applejack stepped forwards to take her place, and she met Twilight's eyes with a warm, honest smile. “Well, I ain't got you a present or nothin', but I figured I'd come wish you good luck anyways.” She reached around Twilight's neck and patted her on the back. “But if this Display thinger is really about magical talent, then I reckon you've already got it in the bag, Sugarcube.”

Twilight felt the beginnings of a tear in her eye. She had to remind herself, once again, that she was just going for a week, and there was no sense in making a big deal out of these goodbyes.

She sniffed a little more loudly than expected before pulling back to smile at Applejack. “Thank you. I'll be back soon.”

“Don't rush yourself,” said Applejack softly. “Y'all have a great time at your Display and around Manehattan. It's a nice enough place, if ya don't mind the occasional snob.”

Twilight chuckled and nodded as Rarity trotted up to her. The white unicorn went straight in for a hug, which Twilight happily received. “Do take care of yourself, darling,” Rarity bade.

“I will, Rarity. Thanks for everything,” said Twilight, squeezing her a little harder.

Rarity stepped back and shook her head. “Think nothing of it. So long as you don't forget our deal!”

Twilight nodded. “Every detail, as soon as I get back,” she promised.

As Rarity rejoined the others, only Spike and Fluttershy remained. Naturally, the demure pegasus wasn't exactly eager to take the stage first, so Spike hurried forwards while he had the chance. Twilight hadn't really noticed until then, but his smile was different than the others'. It was forced, and he didn't so much as try to hide that when he approached her.

“You sure I can't come with you, Twilight?” he asked. “I could just grab some stuff right now. It'd take like, two minutes, tops!”

Twilight tilted her head and offered him a warm smile. The thought of bringing him along had crossed her mind more than once over the past week – the two of them were practically inseparable, after all. Nonetheless, she had ended up deciding to leave him with Rarity, a decision born of a purely selfish desire to spend the week alone with Trixie. A selfish desire that she didn't regret nearly as much as she probably should have...

“Spike,” she said, pulling him into a gentler hug around her foreleg. “I'll miss you too. But it's only for a week, and we're going to be doing boring stuff for the event the whole time. You'll have lots more fun here with Rarity, right, Casanova?” she added in a playful undertone.

That prompted a more genuine smile from him, even if it only lasted a second. “Yeah, I guess,” he muttered. “Just... send me a letter when you get there, okay?”

“Will do, Spike,” Twilight said warmly, giving him one last, quick hug before he ran over to stand at Rarity's side.

Twilight finally trotted over to Fluttershy, who was offering a timid smile from behind her mane. “Thanks for coming to see me off, Fluttershy,” said Twilight. “It's good to know that I have your support.”

The shy pegasus offered a hasty nod. “Oh yes, of course. G-Good luck, I'm sure you'll do just fine. O-Or better than fine, probably...” She started lowering her voice and trailing off, so Twilight decided to show mercy and simply crossed necks with her.

She held the touch for just long enough before pulling back with a smile. Fluttershy replied with a smile of her own, though it suddenly faltered when her gaze fell upon Twilight's ear. “Um... what's that?” she said. “I-If you don't mind me asking, that is.”

Twilight creased her brow in question for a moment, then reached up to her ear. As her fetlock brushed up against the tip of the feather, realisation washed over her. Funny, she'd been wearing it for so long now that it didn't seem like it would stand out any more. Of course, she hadn't seen a lot of her friends, especially Fluttershy, since Rainbow left, so it stood to reason that she'd pick up on it...

Twilight shook her head, realising that she'd been quiet for a little too long. “I-It's a feather,” she explained. “Rainbow Dash gave it to me, so that I wouldn't worry about her.”

Fluttershy cast her eyes down at her hooves and shuffled uncomfortably. “Oh, my...” was all she managed.

“Come to think of it, I was actually hoping to see Rainbow before I left,” said Twilight, curling her lip in thought. “But I guess she's not back from her trip yet.”

“Don't worry none about that one, Twi',” said Applejack, pre-empting the doubts that were already welling up in Twilight's mind. “You'll see her at your 'Welcome back' party, or my name ain't Applejack.”

Twilight nodded firmly, more to herself than to anypony else. “Right. Of course.”

“Now git along, will ya?” said Applejack. She gave a meaningful nod towards the carriage. “You're going to miss your big show at this rate.”

Knowing that she was right, Twilight started to take a few steps backwards, keeping her gaze on her friends. “Um, okay, I-I'm going now,” she said shakily.

They all bade her another, much more brief round of farewells as she broke eye contact and turned towards the carriage, inside which Trixie awaited. She closed her eyes for a moment to refocus, then trotted towards it...

“Hey, egghead!”

...Only to be stopped half way by a familiar and very welcome voice.

Spinning in place, she did nothing to hide her excited smile as Rainbow Dash shot down from the sky and alighted with a powerful thump right in front of her. The trademark smirk on her face was enough to cause the dams of Twilight's glee to break.

“Rainbow Dash!” she cried, jumping forwards to pull the powerful pegasus into a hug. Just in time, she remembered her cupcakes and magically caught them, setting them gingerly down on the ground, before focussing on her hug. “Oh, you're back! You're back!” Twilight squeezed her tighter, excitement and relief taking over.

Rainbow chuckled a little and wrapped a hoof around Twilight. “'course I'm back. What, you thought I'd let you leave before I could wish you good luck?”

Twilight grunted in question. “Huh? How did you--”

“Fluttershy sent me a letter about this Display thing,” Rainbow explained. “I thought I'd come home a couple of days early to see you off. I'll be darned if I miss the day when Twilight Sparkle finally decides to show off how awesome she is.”

A little heat rose to Twilight's cheeks as she pulled back to smile at the compliment. Rainbow's own smile was more honest than Twilight had seen it in a long time... perhaps her trip really had done her some good. Even so, thoughts and questions whirred away in Twilight's mind. There was so much she wanted to ask Rainbow, it was typical that she'd arrive just as Twilight was leaving.

The thoughtful unicorn didn't really notice how long she'd been staring until Rainbow's gaze drifted upwards slightly. She gave a faint nod towards Twilight's ear. “You're still wearing that, huh?”

“Oh... y-yeah,” said Twilight trepidly, reaching up to brush the feather again. “I really like it. You don't mind, do you?”

Rainbow scoffed lightly and shook her head. “Wouldn't have given to you if I minded. I was just going to say it looks good on you.”

Twilight returned the smile. “Thanks...”

Leaning to the side to peer around Rainbow Dash, Twilight saw that their friends were all smiling back at her, though they were kindly keeping their distance. Twilight lowered her muzzle and stepped a little closer to Rainbow, hiding her question from their eyes and ears. “Are you feeling any better?” she asked, in a voice that wasn't quite a whisper.

“Yeah. I am,” said Rainbow. She didn't so much as hesitate. Twilight wasn't sure whether that was a good sign or a bad one, but she chose to take it as the former.

“That's good...” Twilight nodded, half to herself, and smiled vaguely. She knew that she had to follow up that question with another, much less comfortable one. “...So, are you okay with this? Trixie and I going to Maneha--”

A cyan hoof on her lips silenced her. Rainbow's smile didn't falter for a second. She looked right into Twilight's eyes with her own, piercing reds and spoke firmly, but with a definite warmth. “Yeah, I am,” she repeated.

Twilight's heart breathed a sigh of relief, and she nodded slightly to let Rainbow know that she got the message. 'Shut up, Twilight...' she told herself with a smile.

Rainbow withdrew her hoof and stepped back with a smirk on her lips. “And, on that note,” she said, with much more volume. “You'd better get going. Don't want to miss your big event.”

Twilight's eyes went wide in sudden realisation. “Oh! You're right! We should've left by now!” she cried, spinning in place and darting towards the carriage. Realising how rude that must've seemed, she promptly turned right back around and ran up to Rainbow, nuzzling her neck affectionately. “Thanks, Rainbow. I'll see you soon!”

“See ya, egghead,” Rainbow bade, patting Twilight on the fetlock.

With that, the lavender unicorn hurried up to the carriage and clambered up onto the back, where the uncovered part of the vehicle resembled a sort of low, wooden balcony, looking back out towards her friends. She kicked off with her forelegs and leant on the railing, summoning up the magic to reclaim her almost forgotten box of cupcakes from the ground near Rainbow.

Trixie poked her nose out from the folds of the covered part of the carriage. “Ready to go?” she asked.

Twilight performed a quick, mental checklist to make sure that she hadn't forgotten anything, then gave Trixie a smile. “Whenever you are.”

The showmare nodded and returned the smile. “I'll go tell the drivers,” she said, before disappearing back inside.

'...This is it,' Twilight thought as she looked out towards her friends once again. They'd all trotted up to join Rainbow, and together they all offered encouraging smiles.

“G-Goodbye, everypony!” she called out, waving back at them. “I'll be back soon!”

“Bye, Twilight!”
“Have fun!”
“Holler if ya need us!”
“Knock 'em down, Sugarcube!”
“Goodbye, darling!”

Fluttershy's voice was lost amidst the others, but her smile and wave were more than enough for Twilight as the carriage jerked forwards ever so slowly. Spike waved emphatically from atop Rarity's back, and Twilight made sure to offer him a private little wave.

Sensing movement behind her, Twilight turned her head. Trixie pushed out from behind the curtains and stepped up to Twilight's side with a prideful smile on her face. It wasn't hard to tell that she was excited... not that Twilight, herself, wasn't excited too.

“Hey, Trixie!” came Rainbow's yell.

Both unicorns turned to see the pegasus hovering above the others, waving her fetlocks to draw attention to herself. Trixie furrowed her brow and leant forwards. “What?” she called back.

Twilight could just about make out the smirk on Rainbow's face as the pegasus yelled “You'd better take care of our egghead, got it?”

Trixie blinked as she took in the words, whilst Twilight lowered her head and averted her eyes in embarrassment. Not that she didn't appreciate the gesture, but Rainbow didn't have to yell it so loud...

A moment later, Trixie's lips curled into a smirk. The azure unicorn drew herself up into her proudest showmare pose and cleared her throat. “Fear not, multichrome pegasus!” she shouted immodestly. “The Great and Powerful Trixie will take care of Twilight Sparkle!”

Embarrassed as she was, Twilight couldn't stop herself from smiling as a warmth which was fast becoming familiar washed over her again. She turned her eyes back towards her friends, where Rainbow had resettled on the ground in line with the others, apparently satisfied. They already seemed so far away.

Trixie's smirk wavered, as if something had just sprung to mind. As an obvious afterthought, she kicked off to rest her forehooves on the wooden railing and leaned forwards to call out to Twilight's friends--

“B-But not because you asked her to!” Trixie yelled, with a little desperation or embarrassment escaping in her tone. That brought a chuckle to Twilight, even if she knew that they were probably out of earshot now.

One by one, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie offered a last wave and turned away, heading back into town. Fluttershy waved and turned too, leaving Rainbow Dash as the only one who didn't budge. She stood firm, eyes locked with Twilight's even as the carriage began to pick up speed. Twilight liked to think that her friend was smiling – wishing her one last 'good luck'.

Behind Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy came to a sudden stop and looked over her shoulder, perhaps just noticing that Rainbow hadn't moved. Twilight watched with interest as the demure pegasus rejoined Rainbow Dash and nuzzled her neck to get her attention--

“Are you okay?” came Trixie's voice, snapping Twilight out of her daze.

She turned away from Ponyville, and from the pair of pegasi who stood on its outskirts, to face Trixie. The showmare was wearing a half-concerned, half-expectant expression, trained solely on Twilight.

“I'm alright,” said Twilight, managing a smile. “I'm just a little--” She paused. Nervous, excited, scared, homesick... maybe a little of each? Was there a word for that? “--Tense,” she decided.

Trixie nodded. Maybe because she understood, or maybe just to be kind. Whatever the case, after a moment of staring in silence, the azure unicorn hopped down from the railing and magically lifted Twilight's things – her saddlebags and her box of cupcakes.

The bookish mare gave her partner a questioning look, but Trixie simply turned on the spot and carried them inside the carriage, disappearing under the curtain folds. Twilight blinked, still a little confused, but eventually broke into a smile – deciding to take it as a kind gesture.

Ponyville was slowly shrinking into the distance, and Twilight watched it pensively, wondering what her friends would be doing now that she was gone. They'd probably be going back to normal, she supposed, unless Pinkie had been allowed to throw some kind of 'after-the-fact' party...

Twilight giggled and shook her head. She backed away from the railing and turned, casting only one last glance at Ponyville before pushing inside, under the curtains.

'Next stop, Manehattan...'