//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: Meetings 
// Story: Once In A Blue Moon 
// by Bayonate 
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No One's POV
The Festival of the Full Moon started today and ponies from all over Equestria and Monoceros came to join in the festivities.

Blue Moon's POV
After the awkward breakfast, I set out to do my “princely” duties and help out with the festival. I ran back in forth between game booths and checked check lists. I helped as best as I could, but my mind was elsewhere. My mind was with her. I can't keep lying to myself. Last night wasn't a misunderstanding. I just didn't want to accept my feelings. She is beautiful, kind, and radiant, different from any other mare I have met. Her voice sings melodies in my head and her heavenly scent drives me crazy.
I shook my head. This certainly wasn't the time for fantasizing.

Princess Celestia's POV
I waited patiently at the gates for Ice Cloud to arrive, enjoying the scarce personal moment. I let my mind wander to everything that has happened lately. Meeting Blue Moon has been like a colorful splatter of paint on a blank canvas, the start of something wonderful.
My eyes searched for him unconsciously in the crowd. I wonder what he's doing now. I imagined him testing out a game from a booth or trying a caramel apple. I giggled to myself.
“Ya know, it's kinda creepy when someone giggles to themselves.” I jumped two feet in the air and whirled around to see an amused Ice Cloud. I blushed a nudged her shoulder “Shudapp.”

No One's POV
Six very excited ponies walked into the beautifully decorated city. They were actually in Monoceros! They rushed off in different directions in their excitement.

Fluttershy's POV
Oh my! There are so many people here! I heard a beautiful bird call above the ruckus. That must be where the garden is! I followed the song to a huge, elegant, silver gate that was pushed open enough for me to squeeze through. Inside was a white stone path twisting through meadows of silver flowers, butterflies, and white trees with a bridge crossing a seemingly liquid metal stream. It was beautiful!!
I followed the bird call to a small clearing and spotted a small gray lark in a tree. Under the tree was a silver stallion with a dark blue mane, wings, and light blue eyes. The lark sang a melody and then the stallion imitated it with his beautiful tenor voice. I blushed and backed up to leave. A twig snapped under my hoof as I was leaving.
The stallion's head snapped to me and the startled lark flew away. “I am uh sorry, sorry about your bird”, I squeaked. He smile and beckoned for me to come over. I walked forward nervously and sat down a few feet away from him. 
“What's your name?” he asked. His soft voice immediately calmed me down.
“Fluttershy” 
“Mine is Quiet Lark but call me Lark” 
“Okay, Lark” I said with a smile.
We sat there admiring the flowers around us.

Pinky Pie's POV
OMG! OMG! OMG! OMGGG!!!! :D I AM FINALLY AT THE BIGGEST PARTY OF THE TWO KINGDOMS COMBINED!!!!! I hopped around and around and around shaking ponies' hoofs and giving them balloons! No one else seemed to be as excited as me.
Then, ALL THE SUDDEN, the crowd cleared revealing a stallion. Not just any ordinary stallion but an EXCITED one!! He was just as excited as me!! I thought all stallions were boring. I bounced up to him as he bounced up to me. “HI!” we yelled at the same time. “I'm Pinky Pie!!!” “I'm Dynamite Balloon!!” He said with a huge grin.
Ooooooooooh! What an exciting name!! 
“But call me Dynamite.” 
“Sure thing! And you can call me Pinky!!” 
“Awesome! Wanna play some games??” “Do I!? OF COURSE I GO!!!!!” We then hopped off together towards the Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Pony Booth.

Apple Jack's POV
The food here is great! I just need to get some of the farmers and cooks to give me their recipes. I can then make these delicious dishes and sell them in Equestria! I hear a lot of stomping and turn around. WOAH! Where are all these ponies running off to? I realize that the stampede was heading right towards me. I dive out of the way just in time. I get up, and I see the mass of ponies crowding around a bakery. I tried to get in, but everypony was trying to get in. 
After the crowd cleared, I walked into the bakery. I saw a bunch of ponies munching happily on their pastries. Behind the counter was a happy earth pony humming to himself as he baked some more goodies. He had a brown coat, chocolate brown freckles, and vanilla white hooves. His mane and tail were red with scarlet streaks. He also had grass green eyes. 
I approached the counter, and he turned around. 
“May I help you?” he said with a massive smile and eyes shining as brightly as emeralds.
I stared into his eyes forgetting to reply.
“Um, ma’am?”
I snapped out and said “Yes? I mean, I am wondering why all these ponies rushed in here like a horde of starving hydras.”
“You are not from here are you?”
“You’re right. How do you know?”
“My bakery is well known through-out Monoceros. I also got a feeling that you are a fellow cook.”
“I am! I am visiting from Equestria with my friends.”
“Well, how about you come across the counter? I can teach you some of my signature recipes, and you can make them in Equestria for all those ponies. I am Cinnamon Crust by the way.”
“Great and I am Applejack!” I said as I jumped over the counter.
“Nice to meet you, Applejack,” Cinnamon Crust said with an even bigger smile than before.

Rainbow Dash's POV
Isn't there anything FUN to do here? Likeee maybe racing? Wait. I hear wing beats.
“WATCH OUUTTTTT!!!” someone screamed from behind me.
BAMMMMMMMMM! Somepony rammed into me. 
“Woaaahhh!” I turned around to see a gray stallion with wings and a crazy black mane sprawled on the floor.
“Owwwwww”, he moaned pitifully. “Geeeshh lady, you're like ramming into a brick wall!” 
“It's to protect me from idiots like you!” I retorted.
“Okay okay sorry. I'm Jet Barrier by the way.”	
“Rainbow Dash.”
His light blue eyes widened. “You’re THE Rainbow Dash?!?!” 
“Yaaaaaa?? Why? Have you heard of me?” 
“Have I!! I was there when you did the Sonic Rainboom in Equestria!” 
I grinned. Maybe this stallion isn't that bad if he can appreciate pure awesomeness.

Rarity's POV
Oh the outfits are absolutely FABULOUS!! I love Monoceros' modernistic fashion. It's VERY refreshing compared to Equestria's vernacular fashion. I was admiring the clothing stores when I spotted a particularly handsome face's reflection in the window.
“I'm guessing you aren't from around here”, a deep voiced said from behind me. I whirled around to a dashing white stallion with a black horn, silver eyes, and a neatly combed black mane. 
“No, I'm not in fact. See, I am visiting from Equestria”, I replied. 
“Would you like a look inside my shop?” 
“This is YOUR shop??” He nodded “Oh I would love to!” I exclaimed. 
“My name is Obsidian.” he said. 
“I am Rarity. It's a pleasure to meet you.” 
“The pleasure is all mine.” he said looking into my eyes.
I melted on the inside. What a gentleman!

Twilight Sparkle's POV
The sun was starting to set and Monoceros' twinkling stars were starting to show. It was my favorite part of the day. I climbed to the roof of the water tower to study the stars better as the ponies danced and had fun below. Little did I know there was someone else on the roof, too.
I spotted him after I had settled down. The stallion had black hooves, a golden coat, a golden-orange mane, and golden eyes. He glowed like the sunrise. 
“Hello?” I said hesitantly. 
“Good afternoon”, he replied. 
“Who are you?” 
“Dawn Dust” 
“Oh, I'm Twilight Sparkle” 
“What are you doing on my roof, Twilight?” 
“Oh sorry, I just wanted to see the stars better. I figured this was the best spot in town.” 
“It is”, he replied with a smile. We watched the sky until the full moon shone down on us.

Ice Cloud's POV
Princess Celestia went off with Blue Moon to see the Trees of the Night even though the actual event wouldn't happen for a couple more hours. It was probably just an excuse to be alone with Blue Moon. Anypony could see that they liked each other and maybe even loved each other.
I wondered about aimlessly, looked for anypony I knew. After a while I just sat down, lost, defeated, and tired. “You okay miss?” asked a male voice. I looked up and saw a handsome light blue stallion with a white mane streaked with silver, wings, and turquoise eyes.
“I'm fine thank you, just a bit lost”, I admitted. 
“Let me help you, I'm Cool Breeze by the way”, he helped me up. 
“Ice Cloud”, I replied,” I'm visiting from Equestria with Princess Celestia.” 
“Equestria, huh? I've always wanted to go there. I heard it's more colorful” 
“Yes it is but I like your kingdom's silvers and elegant colors.”
He walked me around and pointed out important places and monuments. We finally got to the garden, and the Trees of the Night were half an hour before they were supposed to do their magic. “Would you like to stay with me and watch it together?” he asked softly. I smiled and nodded. We settled down next to each other and quietly chatted.