"So the instructor's jaw dropped?"
"Yep. You should've seen it."
Time had passed faster than it should've. It was late afternoon, and the sun was beginning to set. The two were sitting at a cafe, one having a small salad, the other a simple baked good.
"So what did he say?"
"Something along the lines of he didn't expect me to fall backwards and make a loop out of it."
"I know I can't do loops very well. I always just start flying upside down."
A small chuckle escaped his lips. "That's the first time I've heard someone able to do that. If I tried that, I'd just curve down and right up."
"Oh. Then I guess it's just a skill I picked up somewhere. I thought I was just good at failing."
"You are. In the right way."
Her head cocked slightly at that statement. It made sense, but it sounded strange. Good at failing?
"So, where are you headed after this?"
She refocused on the conversation. "Oh, I'm headed back to my apartment. I live in the same building as you."
"Don't you have to return your mailbag?"
"No, I keep it with me. That way I don't forget it anywhere."
"Smart. So, I guess we're going to the same place, then?"
"Yep!"
"Alright then." He finished off his salad, and readied his saddlebags. "All set to go?"
She finished off her muffin with a big bite. "All set." She lifted herself off the cushion, and trotted after Azure, who already was a few feet ahead of her. "Hey, wait up! Same place, remember?"
"Yeah, I just want to go to that store that sells those straps. It's getting late, and I don't want it to get dark before I'm home."
"Okay, but we can run if you want."
"Let's just go with a quick trot. Don't want to drop these bags like I almost did before."
A loud sound came from the inside of the boutique. Azure looked towards the mare next to him with concern, and she returned it. They stood outside the door, then he approached and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the banging stopped, and the door creaked open just enough to reveal Rarity's snout. "Yes? Oh, you're that stallion Pinkie brought over yesterday. What can I help you with?"
He hesitated slightly. "Yes, um, could you, by chance, sew this strap on my bags?"
"Oh, why that's no problem at all, darling! Please, come in." She opened the door wide, and noticed the mare next to him. "Oh, and you brought a friend! Hello, Ditzy."
"Hi Rarity. It's been a while, hasn't it."
As the two entered, Rarity continued the conversation. "It has. Have you been keeping well with the mail business?"
"Just fine, thank you. How's the fashion industry treating you?"
"Same as always. The critics are just so fickle! So what have you been up to, Azure?"
"Oh, just looking around town and landing a job in weather."
"Well, that should be easy for you. Let me get my sewing machine out and we'll have this strap on in a few minutes."
She proceeded to poke her head around the corner to the back and bring out a machine. She placed it down and collected the materials. The machine began to whirr as the needle flicked in and out. Within seconds, the one side was sewn on tight. As she worked, Azure looked around for what that noise could have been from. Everything seemed to be in place.
"All done! Just make sure you buckle this, or you'll ruin it."
He was handed his bags, now with a strap on the underside. He put it on, finding it surprisingly simple. "Thanks, Rarity. I owe you one."
"Not at all, darling! We don't owe each other. Instead we give where we can."
"That does seem better. By the way, what was that banging I heard before I knocked?"
"Oh, I'm trying to make a new dress for one of my clients. I got distracted and dropped a gem beneath one of the tables. I put it back before I opened the door."
"Good to know. Well, I'll see you again sometime."
"See you! Make sure Ditzy here gets home safe."
"I will. We live in the same building."
"Oh, do you now? Well, have a nice night!"
"You too!"
Azure walked out of the boutique, with Ditzy following right beside him. The door closed behind them, and they set off for their building.
"Well, this is your stop." She pointed out his door. He pulled out his key and placed it in the door.
"Shouldn't I be walking you to your door? You know, out of consideration?"
She paused for a second. "It would make sense, wouldn't it? If you don't want to, I won't mind."
The key returned to the bags. "We're going to you door." His cool eyes locked with the mare.
"O-okay, it's this way." They proceeded towards the stairs down the hall. "So, why did you come with me if your key was already in the lock?"
"A stallion should be a gentlecolt to mares, right?"
She shrugged. "True." A silence fell as the two walked. Perhaps the conversation had nowhere to go. Soon enough, the mare's door was in front of them. "Alright, this is my place."
His eyes went to the tag to the left of the door. "Hey, why does the name on the door say Derpy?"
"That's what I go by. My real name is Ditzy Doo, but only a few people know."
"Oh. So, see you tomorrow morning?"
"Sorry, no. I won't see you tomorrow. I start at 8, but you need to be at work by then. Your mail will be under the door when you get off."
"Thanks. See you later then."
A gracious smile and a wave saw him off. "Bye!"
It was a good thing he went through his mail. In there was the newspaper, a job catalog, and even a greeting from the mayor. Other than that, there was the typical junk one would expect in the mail. Brochures, ads, and coupons. Piles began on the table, of junk and useful material. The junk went straight into the trash, and the useful was read thoroughly. Once the mail was all scanned through, Azure's stomach growled. He hadn't had lunch, so it was reasonable. He got up and went to the kitchen. Scanning through, he realized one big problem: He didn't have any groceries. The hay in the cupboard was a quick meal for the first morning, but it wouldn't last. He ate most of it already, and the rest was for tomorrow. He walked off towards the living room and went through his bags. He emptied most of it, save for a sack of bits.
I really don't like to have to go out when it's dark. I'll probably have to get over it, but I'll still try to stay out of the night.
He grabbed his key and headed for the door. With a click of the lock, he was off.