Stepping out of the bakery I began to think more of the pictures on ponys flanks, then that thought drifted back to the conversation I had with Spitfire earlier. Adding the images to the list of things I did not understand. I began to go over the other things I had yet to comprehend, the one that seemed to interest me the most was the idea of magic. I had seen it with my own eyes, well what was supposedly magic for all I know the thing with the food could have just been tricks and mirrors or maybe these ponys are more technologically advanced than their letting on...
Turning to Soarin with the question in mind. “Soarin what do you know about magic?”
Soarin kept his head straight and maintained the calm expression. “Magic in theory can be found everywhere, but it’s just that unicorns supposedly thanks to their horns can use it”
So unicorns do actually have horns, that was something to remember though I am sure I would notice if I were to meet one. Unless their horns are really small or something... “What kind of magic?”
“Who knows probably all sorts, but really how can you not know this? Don’t tell me that in your entire life a unicorn never once came to your farm?”
Taking a moment to think I raised my hoof to my chin, taking a moment to think of a lie to reply with while at the same time trying to make it look like I was simply thinking back to my imaginary life. “Well yea, but they never really used magic from what I can remember...” I hoped that was feasible.
“I guess not all unicorns like to show off then” A smirk emerged across his face “Hey you were near manehatten do you ever remember seeing an azure unicorn with a hat and cape?”
My mind blanked, then suddenly filled with thoughts of doubt. Was I meant to know? Was there a famous unicorn there? Is soarin trying to catch me out? I hoped that they were just thoughts and not truth, smiling back uneasily hoping that my reply would be taken as sarcasm if my doubts were in fact the case. “...No can’t say I have”
I panicked as Soarin began laughing. “Well you missed a show then. It was a few weeks ago when I saw her, she had set up close to where we were performing and was trying to sell the story that she had recently returned from the Everfree forest after rescuing several ponys from wait for it... twenty manticores!” With the last word he started laughing uncontrollably. Unsure of what he was actually talking about I went along and began to laugh, thankfully I managed to sound moderately convincing.
Eventually after a few moments Soarin began to calm down, wiping a tear from his eye and taking a breath. I slowly brought my laughter to a stop trying to time it with his, unsure of how to respond I thought it best to change the subject. “So Soarin, how did you and Spitfire meet?” Almost immediately the entire look on his face changed from joy to what seemed like anguish. “Did I say something wrong?”
Shaking his head he brought his face back up to eye level. “No it’s just that story brings back some memories...” Looking at him awkwardly I was about to speak, though I was taken back by the sudden grin that appeared once more across his face. “It’s a long story, if we get time later I will tell you, though probably going to have to get Spitfire to help me out. Right now the next place I wanted to show you is coming up” The grin was obviously fake but I went along with it. Really I wanted to know was why whenever Spitfire was brought up he suddenly tried to change the subject, there was something that he obviously did not want me to know.
It had taken me a few moments to realize what he had actually said, bringing my attention back to the surroundings I was taken back at how fast the scenery had changed. At some point we had obviously left the street as now we were standing on a large open cloud in which the only building that occupied it was a large Greek themed temple similar to the one’s I had seen though this one seemed greater. Probably due to the amount of room it had around it, but that just made me question why Soarin had brought me here. Walking up the steps and over the short distance from the top to the oddly small open doors.
Stepping in I was a little disappointed. The entrance area was no more then a few seats, a green mare who was staring at us with that oh so familiar exaggerated grin similar to that of the shopkeeper in the bakery; she was sitting behind a bland cloud formed desk . Other then her the only other thing that stuck out in the room were the several other doors & various paintings hanging from the walls. The paintings them self were mostly of Cloudsdale each depiction featured rainbows, massive buildings & various ponys flying around seemingly happy. Ok so they were pretty accurate now that I thought about it.
Soarin began to speak bringing my focus away from the paintings “This is the town center, honestly I only wanted to show it you because it’s easy to find so if you get lost just look for the giant building hoggi-”
“Soarin!” A loud energetic voice bellowed across the room stopping Soarin mid-speech. I looked over to the origin of the interruption. Standing at one of the various doors around the room. She like soarin had a very pale Azure coat, however her mane was a much lighter shade of blue then Soarin’s. I turned to Soarin in hopes of an explanation though I hesitated to ask when I noticed his face had begun to redden from a steadily building blush. “If I knew you were coming to visit I would have set aside some time!”
“I am not here to visit just showing a pony around town...” I felt invisible, only Soarin had actually acknowledged me and even he did not look at me directly.
The green mare behind the desk quietly began to speak “Umm sorry to interrupt Mayor you have a meeting in five minutes in room twelve..” All eyes fell on her including my own, unintentionally making her sink back in to her seat; obliviously shy, a little odd considering she seems to be a receptionist. It’s then when It clicked that she was talking to the azure mare, thus making her the mayor.
The mayor once more began to speak “Post-pone the mee-” Though quickly interrupted by Soarin.
“No mom go to your meeting, I just told you I did not come to visit I am busy right now anyway” Wait a moment ‘Mom’? Soarin’s mother was the mayor of Cloudsdale!? Wait, was that even important here? I know that being the kid of someone in power back home normally got you a few perks and normally led to you becoming a little egotistic in some cases... Though Soarin did not really strike me as the kind to do that, well he had not gave them impression in the short time I had known him anyways.
“Well ok then. I guess I will see you next week then” The mayor walked through one of the other doors now accompanied by two other ponys carrying various folders in there mouths. The green mare behind the desk slowly began to sit upright again following the mayor closely, then sitting her self up fully and returning to grinning the moment the door closed. Soarin had now walked over to one of the paintings and seemed to be enticed by it, I took the opportunity to talk to the green mare.
“So what’s your job?” I knew the question was stupid but I could not think of any other way of starting up a conversation without it either being about Soarin and the mayor or why she seemed to shy away from the mayor herself.
“My official title is Junior receptionist, my boss is on his lunch break so I am watching reception on my own, what about you?” I was not really surprised to hear she was an assistant, I can see her being the head receptionist when she one had not actually greeted us when we walked in, and two seemed to lack the courage to talk to the mayor personally. Though she had caught me out with her question. Unlike her I didn’t think I had an actual job title, and remembering what Spitfire said about telling ponys what I actually do, no matter how small it was I was still technically had access to her and the others and as she said I didn’t really like the idea of being ‘The pony who can get us The Wonderbolts’. Thinking on the spot I finally replied.
“I don’t have a job yet, still don’t really know what I want to do” Strangely my response did not seem to surprise her.
“Well I not knowing what your talent is yet does not help that much” It took me a moment to come to terms with what she was talking about, then I noticed she was staring at my flank. Well she was staring at where those pictures ponys had. Looking at hers I noticed she had an image of a parchment. Rather optimistic considering she was an assistant what happens if she looses her job, would she remove the image? Well considering she linked the picture with a ‘talent’ I guess she would look for another job in the same area considering she was essentially boasting she had fount her talent, and from a quick interpretation of the image I assumed it was something to do with organisation.
“Uhh yea still looking I guess” I looked back at her blankly, she had once more returned to smiling, I questioned weather she was actually just putting on a smile for her job or she was just genuinely this cheerful. “So anything I should know about Cloudsdale?” This was actually a good question, I mean it’s her job to help ponys out with Cloudsdale related matters.
“Well I am sure you know the important things, but if your looking to learn up on Cloudsdale history and other information then I would suggest going to the Cloudsdale Library.” She spoke almost as if reading from a script, probably rehearsed it before hand.
“Oh yea I suppose that would be a good place to show you next” Soarin had finished admiring the painting and was now standing at the door waiting for me.
“Well it was nice meeting you..” I looked down to the desk and noticed a name engraved on a small wooden block “Lilly?” I looked up at her checking to make sure I had got the right name.
“It was very nice meeting you too, be sure to stop by if you have anymore questions” Once more she seemed to recite her words.
***
Soarin and I were now walking back towards the direction of the bakery, I assumed we were going back to the Cafe to meet back up with Spitfire. Though the thought of Spitfire brought the question that had been lingering in my mind ever since Soarin had avoided the subject. Taking more caution with my wording I finally spoke.
With a slow and cautious tone I attempted to start the conversation up. “Soarin if you don’t mind me asking, I mean by all means just tell me to shut up. Why are you so hesitant to talk about Spitfire?” He turned to be with a confused look on his face though slowly I could see the cogs in his head start to move and his facial expression once more change to that unsure look.
“It’s not that I am hesitant to talk about her. Well I can see why you might think that, it’s more to do with I don’t want to say anything I shouldn't. Wait that sounds wrong, I mean I am unsure Spit would like me talking about certain things, mostly regarding her past, honestly I only know a little and that’s only from being there through some of it....” His voice trailed off as he turned his head to the sky. Understanding what he meant I began to think what could possibly be so bad. Was it something embarrassing? Whatever it was I admired Soarin’s loyalty to his friend. Really I should know better then to pry, I had only met them yesterday and I am already asking personal questions. Well whatever it was, I am sure I would find out when Soarin and Spitfire are willing to tell me, if they let me hang around that is.