I kept to the clouds high above Ponyville, searching for signs of the Princess, her guards, or anypony else I didn’t want to encounter. After dropping off my letter to Jet Set at Derpy Deliveries and receiving my fifty bits from the bank quickly and quietly, I took to the alleys, weaving my way towards Spring’s Glories.
As I was trotting I heard a rumbling ruckus, so I peered out to see what the commotion was. The librarian, Twilight Sparkle, and the creature caretaker, Fluttershy, were chasing that very odd looking bird the guards had informed me about. I only saw them for a second before they frantically dashed out of my sight after the bird.
I suppose they have it handled, I thought. No need to notify those guards.
I continued on my way, stealthily and cautiously, until I was once more across from Spring’s Glories. After a deep breath, I casually walked to the store only to find the door locked.
I wonder if she’s in there. Maybe I should knock. Or... I could leave the flower here by the door...
I sighed and took the Heart’s Desire out of my saddlebag. It swayed provokingly in the weak breeze. After dismissing the thought of knocking, I set the flower down where Spring Glory would notice it. I figured it would be best if I didn’t give myself the opportunity to embarrass myself again. When I turned to fly away, though, there she was, smiling as brightly as ever.
“Hi!” she said excitedly. “You haven’t been waiting here all morning, have you?”
After a seemingly long and dreadful moment of hesitation and doubt, I managed to gather my wits, and tried to dispel my awkwardness by clearing my throat.
“No, I... I just arrived,” I said.
“Sorry if I startled you,” she giggled. “Why don’t you come in?” She unlocked the door with magic, to my surprise.
“I thought... Aren’t magical locks only used for... high-security places? Like... banks?”I asked. To my dismay, she hesitated, and I envisioned the entire conversation crumbling because of my foolish question. “I, um... I don’t mean to pry.”
“No, no, it’s okay,” she said. “Old habit. Business in the big cities is... different.”
“Oh... right,” I murmured.
She opened the door and stepped inside, and I took the opportunity to carefully stuff the Heart’s Desire―which I had conveniently been standing in front of―back into my saddlebag. I followed her in, praying I wouldn’t panic again.
“So, Archaic Smile, what brings you back?” she asked, turning to face me. By the look in her eyes, she seemed to be expecting something of me.
“I... brought this back.” I pulled the wrapped flower out of my bag again and set it down. “You see, I... I know it was on my list, but I don’t... I don’t really need it for anything.”
“...Oh.”In an instant, she had deflated.
“I, uh... appreciate the gesture, but―”
“It was a gift,” she said.
“Yes, I... I know. I appreciate the thanking―”
“No... it’s a gift,” she emphasized.
I stared at her blankly as I began understanding. A part of me had guessed that the flower meant something more, but it was too outlandish of an idea for me to accept. Ponies don’t give me gifts, let alone anything even remotely romantic. This unicorn, though, had done what nopony else would, and I wondered if she felt as lonely as I always have. I couldn’t bear the look of disappointment in her eyes.
She took the flower and set it on a counter. “I’m sorry, Archaic Smile. I shouldn’t have... I’m sorry if I’ve imposed. I thought that you might like―”
“Park?” I asked.
“Pardon?” she said, puzzled.
“Um... We could... walk in the park, if you’d like to,” I murmured.
“Oh, well... I would love to. But... I’d hate to make you uncomfortable,” she said.
“Oh, no... It’s... I’ll be fine. You needn’t worry about me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m just... just shy, that’s all.”
“Just shy,” she agreed. “It’s cute.”
My heart was a jackhammer in my chest; she was really giving me a chance despite my obvious social ineptness. I could barely believe it, but she was genuinely interested in me.
“Um... So, when shall we go?” I asked.
“I have a few things to do here,” she said. “I’m expecting quite a few ponies to come soon, so you may not want to stay... Why don’t you meet me here an hour before sunset? That’s when I’ll be closing the shop.”
“Yes... I can be here then,” I said.
“It’s a date, then.” She smiled, forcing me to blush.
“Well... I’d best be on my way... before all those ponies arrive.”
“Don’t forget this,” she said, gesturing towards the Heart’s Desire. She picked it up and took the liberty of slipping it back into my saddlebag, which I was still wearing. The closeness made me nervous, but I was able to remain still without fidgeting.
“Thank you. I’ll see you later, Spring Glory,” I said. Our eyes locked for a brief moment, and she blushed a little.
“See you later, Archaic Smile.”
I left the building and took to the skies, humming a tune to myself.