//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Meeting New Faces // Story: For a Fresh Start // by Azure_Flame //------------------------------// The sun was high in the sky. Not a cloud was seen. A soft breeze blew through the streets, providing a refreshing coolness through Azure's darker coat. He gave off a large, pleasant sigh, happy to feel the wind's gift. He walked around town, accompanied by Pinkie. She hopped as they scoured through town, full of energy. Her joyous nature was infectious to all of those they passed, all of them giving her a wide smile and wave as she passed by. I feel like there's something about this mare. She seems to spread laughter more than anyone else I've seen. "Hey, you there?" She noticed very quickly that he was lost in thought. He blinked his eyes and returned to reality once more. "Yeah, just thinking about things again." "You like thinking a lot, don't you?" She looked at him inquisitively. "I work a lot in my head." "I know a friend who does almost the same thing! Almost. Do you like books?" "I think just as much as the next pony." "Good enough for me! Come on!" She directed him towards another area of town, where the roads came into something similar to a plaza. On the edge of the road sat a large tree fit with windows and a door. "Since when are trees used as buildings?" This fact was unusual to him, even as he'd seen things far stranger. "Since the library was made!" He decided to take that fact as what it was. They entered, and Pinkie hollered at the top of her lungs. "TWILIGHT? ARE YOU IN HERE!?" "Pinkie, keep it down, please!" From the upstairs came a young dragon, covered in purple scales. He carried a few books to some of the shelves around the room. "Sorry, Twilight's not here at the moment. She's checking on Rarity. Something about a large stain. Knowing Rarity, it's probably just some juice in a small spot. Hey, who's your friend back there?" "Oh, hello. My name's Aero Azure, but just call me Azure." "He came into town earlier today. He's living in an apartment close to Sugarcube Corner." He pointed a claw at him, a deadpan look upon his face. "Did she meet you at the train station?" "How'd you guess?" He shrugged. "After you know her as well as I do, you expect these things." "Makes enough sense to me." "No it doesn't. It never makes any sense. That's how Pinkie works." He lifted his arms over his head, almost in a way that looked like he gave up. "If you say so." Pinkie interrupted the conversation. "Hey, let's go meet Twilight and Rarity! Aren't they at the boutique?" "Yeah, but you may want to hurry. Twilight's been there for half an hour, and things like this are usually solved by then." Pinkie rushed outside, motioning for him to follow. Before he left, he turned his head back towards the dragon. "Nice meeting you, as short as it was." "Same back to you." He then turned away and went back to his sorting. The boutique door flew open, whacking the bell above the door. Pinkie rushed in, followed shortly behind by Azure. Inside the boutique was not as Azure expected. Across the room lay many patterns of various fabrics, models of stallions and mares alike, and a large stage. Sitting next to it resided a unicorn with a coat as white as the snow of early winter. Her mane was in large curls, holding its shape as she shifted repeatedly to get a better view of the fabric she was working on. There was a large brown spot right in the center of it, appearing as it was dropped into a puddle of mud as it was brought. Next to her was another pony, using her horn to try and remove the stain magically. Her head was aimed at the fabric, focusing on the brown spot left on the rose fabric. The white pony turned at the sound of the door, greeting Pinkie, even after nearly breaking her door. "Oh, hello Pinkie. Please be a dear and go get some cleaner from the back, would you? This mud is absolutely dreadful. I should've gone to get it myself, the delivery service always messes things up." The other one lifted her head after finishing the spell, once more not affecting the stain in the slightest. Her eyes centered on the stallion standing near the doorway. "Oh! Pinkie wasn't alone. What's your name?" Pinkie shouted from the back room. "His name's Aero Azure! He goes by Azure." Her face turned to one of irritation, as if this happened earlier. "Pinkie, he has a voice too. Do we have to go over this again?" "Sorry, but he's a little quiet." The white pony spoke up. "Compared to you, everyone's quiet. I guess I should introduce myself. I am Rarity. I run this boutique. I've made a name for myself in fashion." "I'm Twilight Sparkle. Pleased to meet you." He nodded and gave a small bow. "Pleased to meet you both. Pardon my asking, but, aren't you a princess?" "Yep. I've only been one for a few years, but I've learned quite a bit over the past few years. It helps when Princess Celestia gives me a hoof." Pinkie returned, carrying a large white bottle. It became surrounded in a blue hue, the same as Rarity's horn. "Thank you, dear. Now, on to that mud." After a few short minutes, the stain was lifted by the powerful cleaner. The fabric was put next to the others, rolled up nice and organized. "Now I can get started on the dresses for Manehattan. They asked for one that they could recreate, and I already sent a copy of the design. I don't mean to be rude, but I do have work to do, so could I ask for all of you to go?" "Of course," they all answered in unison. They left, and the door slammed shut behind them, a click engaging the lock. "Twilight, could you show Azure around? I want to make sure the Cakes don't need my help filling any orders." "Always glad to help a friend, whether old or new," She smiled. Pinkie dashed off, heading back to Sugarcube Corner. Azure and Twilight began to walk off towards the town. "Now, where should we begin?"