"Hi, there~." Merriweather grinned.
Dusky narrowed her eyes, her voice tinged with anger. "What in Tartarus is wrong with you!? Do you get some sort of sick kick out of messing with people!?"
I simply stared, unsure what to make of any of this. Why is she even here? Why is Merriweather following us?
I glanced at Dusky. We'd been having fun, at least, I hoped. Merri was going to ruin everything. I flinched, admonishing myself. Dusky and I were just friends.
Merri’s eyes went wide as she quickly spoke up to defend herself. "Whoa, whoa, hold on! It's not like that! I've been helping!"
Dusky stared back, all emotion drained from her response. "Helping."
Merri raised a hoof, bashfully scratching at her head. "Yeah! Helping! With games and... stuff! Like games." She looked between us. "'Cause I'm... y'know, sorry about the other night."
I raised an eyebrow. I hadn't seen her all day, what did she mean by helping?
"Let me get this straight." Dusky began to fill in the blanks for me. "You thought you could make up for crippling Night Flurry by following him around a festival and secretly cheating for him?"
My eyes went wide as I stared at Merri. I waited for her to tell Dusky she wouldn't do that.
She didn't. "Yep!"
Merri’s grin widened as my own face fell.
Dusky pressed her interrogation. "And you blew your cover to grab him because?"
"How else was he supposed to know who was helping him?" She paused again, waiting for us to acknowledge how helpful she'd been. When neither Dusky nor I responded, she continued. "Oh, and hugs. Healing hugs~. Those always help~."
With a sigh, Dusky shook her head. "Well, at least you're honest."
I pulled out the plush toy I'd won, or thought I'd won, in the bottle toss. I looked at the little smiling Spitfire nervously. "W-wait, that means... I d-didn't earn this. I should t-take it back."
Merri waved a hoof dismissively, sidling up close to me. "Oh, come on! It's not like they don't cheat too! I was just evening the odds~."
I frowned further, pushing away from her. "Y-you're not just making excuses, are you, M-Merri?"
She gasped at the accusation. "Hey, I'm not lying, just ask Dusky. She knows what's up." She smiled at Dusky, batting her eyes. "Right, Dusky~?"
"You're both right. She may be making excuses, but she isn't lying." Dusky sighed, and turned her attention to me. "These games are skewed to put more bits into the festival's pockets."
"O-oh. Um..." I fumbled the Spitfire plush, unsure just what to do now. I'd never wanted to cheat. But was it okay if they were cheating too? I'd been raised to know that two wrongs didn't make a right.
Dusky interrupted my internal struggle. "Also, when did you start calling her 'Merri'?"
I paused, not wanting to implicate her. She'd broken into the hospital, but solely to apologize. I swallowed, pushing one of my forehooves against the other as I avoided the answer. "Oh, um, s-she came to visit..."
She studied me carefully, and I became consumed in her eyes again. I was so insignificant beneath their scrutiny, I just shrank away. Dusky raised an eyebrow. "And you talked about the... incident?"
I glanced at Merri, then back to Dusky with a nod. "Y-yeah, she, um, a-apologized."
Merri jumped in. "Yep, sure did~! I'll even be sorry for the rest of the day. Let me show you around, I totally already scoped the place out!"
I tilted my head as Merri turned and began to walk away from us and the restaurants. I looked towards the pasta diner when Dusky came closer.
She slipped up fast, my eyes going wide at how close she was, and she whispered into my ear. "That's how it really went down? She didn't bully you into forgiving her, did she?"
With a blink of surprise, I met Dusky's eyes a moment. "N-no, she's... I'm o-okay with Merri." There was more to say, but I still didn't know if I should. Dusky continued to watch me, until I finally broke her gaze, but couldn't say anything else.
"Well, okay, if you say so. If she's going to be like this, it's probably best that we keep her where we can see her, anyway." Dusky turned and called out to her. "Hey! Merriweather! You're going away from the food!"
Before I could even call out Merri was back at our side. I'd have sworn she teleported if I hadn't watch her run back. "Oh! You're hungry! Right. Okay, there's sandwiches and pasta."
Merriweather pointed her hoof behind us vaguely. "Oh, and there are totally other places to eat. They're just, um... somewhere. Yeah! Somewhere. But you guys are totally up for sandwiches and pasta, right~?" She wiggled her eyebrows at us.
I shifted my weight from my right legs to my left, looking back at the restaurants and trying to avoid Merri's eyes. Things were going to be so difficult with her around.
Dusky seemed to agree, as she let out a sigh. "You're such a good guide."
Merri practically purred. "I am, aren't I~?"
---
The pasta diner was quite nice. Small, homey, and filled with an amazing aroma. It was a simple place, and I was momentarily drawn back to Cloudsdale, to Lavender’s Cafe. It had been been a tiny place, quiet and out of the way amidst the busier Cloudsdale thoroughfare. I’d spent many hours there, trying to find some peace away from my sisters, away from classmates, away from everything. It had been my sanctuary.
We waited for a server, taking in the atmosphere. The tables were small squares, covered in red and white checkerboard tablecloths. It was all very simple, which suited me just fine.
"Huh. Nopony here." Merri looked about as if trying to find an old friend, scanning the entire room.
Maybe she knew something I didn't. I tried to follow her eyes, looking about the room to see if there was some little detail I was somehow missing. "O-oh, is that bad?"
"Mmmmmaybe not~." She crossed past the 'Please wait to be seated.' sign, but before I could call her back, she was already meeting with a waiter, pointing a hoof towards a seat. "Hey, can we have that table?"
The stallion smiled at Merri. "Sure thing, ma'am. Plenty of space to go 'round." He motioned us forward. "This way, please."
The waiter led the way, Merri following close behind, and Dusky alongside her. I trailed after, until we stopped and took our seats.
Dusky glanced at Merri. "Why this one?"
She only grinned in response. "Oh, you'll see~."
"Here you are." The waiter distributed menus around the table. "If you're interested in the soup of the day, it's cream of broccoli. While you're deciding on that, care for a drink?"
"Water, please," Dusky bowed her head a little.
"Wi—" Merriweather stopped to look at me. I tilted my head slightly, but she quickly finished her sentence. "—water. Water too."
I glanced at the menu, needing something to steel myself. "U-um, tea, p-please."
"All right, two waters, one tea. Back in a jiffy!" He smiled and headed back towards the kitchen.
I lifted the menu, skimming through quickly to find something that sounded good. The problem was, it all sounded good, and I was famished. I soon began searching for an item with a generous portion, rather than what may be the best flavor.
When the waiter returned, I bowed my head and let the ladies go first. Dusky ordered some spaghetti with a side salad, and Merri ordered a large portion of pasta in a spicy sauce. When it came to me, I just ordered a large bowl of fettuccine alfredo. It was simple, and from the smells coming from the kitchen, promised to be very good. My stomach growled again.
Merri levitated her fork in the air, spinning it about aimlessly as she continued to look towards the kitchen. "Fettuccine sounds good. Kinda plain, though."
Dusky just watched her, eyes locked on Merri's. "It does. Your spicy pesto sounds good too."
I glanced between the two, Merri grinning absently, and Dusky watching her intently. I fiddled my forehooves, unsure about the tension between the two. I lamely added to their comments. "Y-yeah... both of your dishes sound, um... good."
We fell into silence. It didn't take long for the waiter to return. He set the bowls in front of us, the dishes looking as savory as they smelled, then made his leave.
I dug into the pasta, trying not to eat too fast, but even hungrier now that the food was right there.
My ears perked up as the waiter walked by again, leading another pair of ponies past the table. I turned back to my food, but apparently across the table, Merri had other thoughts beyond pasta.
"Didja get a good look at that~?" She licked her lips, although it wasn't to clean up the errant sauce.
Dusky sighed. "As good a look as I needed."
"Mmmm~. Well, if you're interested, I'm sure I can convince them to let you in on the action too~."
I felt my cheeks going red, but I just stared down at my plate, trying to pretend I didn't hear anything.
Dusky's voice was strict. "I'll pass."
I wanted to sigh in relief, but caught myself. She was just trying to keep Merri in check. It didn't have anything to do with us.
Merri giggled. "Aw, you're no fun~."
"Just eat your food." Dusky went back to eating, and we spent the next few minutes in silence.
As we finished, Dusky sat back and turned towards our unexpected guest. "Sooo... Merriweather, what else do you do in your spare time?"
"Oh, the usual knightly things Sis' and I do." She nodded, grinning. "Like training, spellcraft and knitting."
Dusky's voice went flat. "Knitting."
"Yep! Soft and warm is good for traveling, among other things~. That's why you wear that scarf, isn't it?"
I glanced at Dusky's scarf, thinking back to my own attempt at crafting. I'd picked up a few more materials, still hoping to be able to eventually make something.
Dusky nodded, eyes flicking downward and then back to Merri. "This is sewn, but yes, I do agree that clothing can be quite helpful for travel."
"Sewing is like knitting, right? Right?" Merri leaned in, batting her eyes at Dusky.
"You just want to go to the knitting expo, don't you?"
"Maaaaybe~."
I tried to speak up in agreement for the knitting expo, but stopped short. I knew my own attempts were pointless. If Dusky didn't want to go, I didn't want to make her, just so that I could try and fail to make her something again.
Dusky turned back to look across the table at me, smiling just slightly. "What do you think? Knitting sound interesting to you?"
I jumped, jarred from my thoughts. "O-oh, yes! Y-yes, everyone likes kn-knitting!"
She raised an eyebrow, and I shrank into my seat. "If you say so. I guess it's decided, then."
---
We paid for our meals and headed back into town, moving out of the street towards the festival. More snowflake-shaped signs pointed towards the Knitting Expo, set-up in the town hall.
We didn't get too far before Merri began to rush through the crowd, leaving Dusky to shout after her as we struggled to catch up. "Hey, wait up!"
She stopped rather abruptly, grinning as she looked up at another of the game booths. I took in the wall of balloons rather dumbly, a familiar doubt creeping up on me again. To the side, another carny stood by with more plush toys and prizes, taking bits and giving out darts. It wasn't exactly a game I’d choose to play, but still, maybe Dusky would find it fun.
We came up alongside Merri, Dusky turned to her and tilted her head. "What happened to knitting?"
She grinned back, tittering on her hooves. "We can do both! We've got time! Besides, who doesn't like darts?"
Dusky just shook her head. "Those of us without claws or magic to throw them?"
I'd never thrown darts either. Some pegasi were pretty adept at holding things with their wings, but it was delicate and definitely required practice. Otherwise, we'd be throwing them with our mouths, which wasn't something I'd practiced either.
"Pfff, c'mon! It's not that hard! I'll use my mouth too!" Her enthusiasm was pretty overwhelming, and she quickly brought out some bits and paid for a set of darts.
She lined them up and then lifted the first in her mouth. She whipped her head forward, releasing the dart faster than I could follow. It hit its target dead on, popping her first balloon. The next four darts followed quickly, each landing with a loud pop as they struck home.
With a bow, she turned back to us and grinned. "Next up!"
I just stared. There was no way I could top that performance.
Dusky shook her head, echoing my thoughts. "After that?"
"Aw, but its fun!" She pouted just a little. "Please? I'll pay for you!"
Dusky stared her down, but at last relented. "Okay, okay, fine. Under one condition: no playing over our shoulder."
"What? If that's what you really want..."
Dusky glanced at me. I looked at the dart booth, the balloons didn't seem rigged, but then, neither did the milk jugs, and especially not after Merri's performance. Still, I didn't want to cheat regardless. Committing another wrong was not the way to make up for a wrong committed against you. It only made things worse. I realized Dusky was still staring, and at last, managed a nod.
She turned back to Merri and confirmed it before picking up her first dart. She gripped it awkwardly in her mouth, struggling to get herself into position. Her throws were not at all as graceful as Merri's, and didn't have the strength, either. Every dart struck, but only three had the force and direction to pop the balloons. She threw her last dart, and seemed to sigh in relief as she stepped away from the counter.
"Ooo, not bad!" Merri nodded approvingly, then turned her head back to me. "Hey, Night! You're next!"
I hesitated, not really wanting to step up. I wouldn't even be able to pop anything. "U-um, I don't know..."
She was already giving her bits to the carny, then turned back and moved in close, fluttering her eyes. "But it's free~."
I started to lean away from her when Dusky came up alongside me. "It's the fastest way to get her to stop pestering you."
"O-okay." I quickly slipped past Merri and towards the darts. I tried to breathe and lift the dart in my mouth, fumbling it worse than Dusky had with her first dart. Once it was secured between my teeth, I shakily glanced towards the target and swung my head to release it. The dart plummeted straight to the ground.
I watched it fall in slow motion, then stared at the dart as if it were a deadly snake.
Dusky's voice came gently, like rain. A soothing sound that calmed my nerves. "Don't worry about that one. It's harder than it looks."
I nodded and steadied myself, throwing again. This time, the dart flew straight, but didn't hit any of the balloons. I took a deep breath.
Behind me, Merri shouted more encouragement. "Getting closer!"
I pulled my head back further, taking the next dart in my mouth and closing my eyes. I twisted and let go. A loud pop caused my ears to flinch back, and it took me a moment to register just what that noise meant. I cracked my eyes and looked at the bare spot where a balloon had previously floated.
I heard Merri cheer behind me, and my face split into a grin. With that small victory in hoof, I cast the next two darts carefully, but even though I didn't score anymore, I already felt like I was ahead. It had been fun, once I'd gotten into it.
The only one of us to win, Merri levitated her prize over to me. It was another plush toy, this one of Daring Do. "Here. For being such good sports~."
I stared at it. I didn't want to take the prize from her, she'd won it fair and square. "I-I, um, never got into D-Daring Do."
Dusky tilted her head. "Really? You should check the books out sometime. It's a good series."
I stuttered. I never really read those books growing up, I'd always been a bigger fan of the Star Horse series. Still, if Dusky recommended it, maybe it was worth reading through. "O-oh, I'll k-keep that in mind."
She smiled, then turned to Merri and picked the plush toy out of the air. "I guess I'll take her, then." She snuggled the little Daring Do into her scarf, her pith-helmeted head poking out just over the edge. I couldn't help but smile, looking at Dusky with her miniature companion.
"Oooo, that was fun! We should do another! " Merri pointed a hoof towards the next closest tent. "Like... that one!"
I watched Merri, raising an eyebrow. "Um... w-what is it?"
"Only one way to find out~!" And with that she was off.
"Wait, Merriweather!" Dusky called after, but Merri was already gone, not bothering to respond as she rushed ahead. Dusky shook her head with a sigh. "Just look up."
I glanced up, seeing the large board looming over the tent, topped with a mounted bell. I sighed just a little, then looked back to where Merri had run. For a knight, she was impulsive, inappropriate, and overly juvenile. "She's, um... I-it's like w-watching a foal, i-isn't it?"
Dusky giggled. "Maybe a little. I think there's a bit of that inside all of us, though. Come on, let's catch up." She trotted after Merri, and I followed.
We rounded the corner to the tent, revealing a Test of Strength booth. It was more manageable than the dart booth had been, at least. A target was set up to be bucked, and I had enough experience bucking clouds that I could manage a good kick. I followed the board upward, lines were painted along the way, each with a picture of a prize drawn beside it. At the top was a large Daring Do plushie. I smiled slightly, imagining the look on Dusky’s face if I could manage to win that and give it to her.
A great rush of air pulled my view away, as a pony swooped down from above, landing near the tent. Blizzard Breeze settled down, the snow stirred around her.
"Whew! Sorry I took so long. Weather went crazy for a bit there and my team was off bumming around." She flapped her wings once more, pushing the snow back down to the ground.
Dusky smiled, nodding to Blizzard. "Don't worry about it. Not like we had a schedule to keep. Besides, we've been pretty... distracted, anyway."
They looked at Merriweather, and I tilted my head to watch. She was leaning in close to the carny running the booth, batting her eyes again. His face was already going red. I sighed, and turned back to Blizzard.
She just stared a moment at our unusual friend. "Huh. I didn't know you were meeting up with somepony."
Dusky shook her head. "It wasn't planned. It just kind of happened."
"A pleasant surprise, then."
I cringed slightly, still not sure if Merri's presence was entirely welcome, or what she wanted, or what kind of trouble she was going to get us into. I just looked aside. "Y-yeah, um, p-pleasant."
"Good news, everypony." Merri sauntered back to the group, still grinning wide. "He's going to let us play three for the price of two!"
Blizzard tilted her head to look behind Merri. "Is he now?"
The carny spoke up, his voice breaking just a little. "Uh, yes. They look like real fine ladies and gentlecolt with an appreciation for Test Your Strength."
Blizzard nodded. "Good eye."
"Before we do that..." Dusky came forward, stepping between Blizzard and Merri. She pointed to each in turn. "Blizzard, this is Merriweather, Merriweather, Blizzard Breeze. Blizzard here is in charge of festival organization. Merriweather is a, uh, traveling knight."
"Traveling knight?" Blizzard eyed Merri cautiously. "I hope you're not planning on doing 'knightly' things over here."
Merriweather dismissed the thought with a wave of a hoof. "Nah, not really my style~."
Blizzard continued to watch Merri. "And what is your style?"
"You could say I do requests per pony~." She eyed Blizzard back, that same eye flutter as always. Then she shrugged, and her expression hardened. "What I don't do is the whole crusade bit."
I could feel the tension as Blizzard stared her down. "Hmmm, so long as you don't cause trouble, we'll get along just fine."
I looked at Dusky nervously, thinking back to the bar and my wing. Blizzard deserved to know what had happened.
Dusky shook her head, eyes darting to Merri and back to me. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out, only a breath forming the word 'Later'.
I looked back at Merri and nodded in return.
She grinned, waggling her eyebrows and interrupting my thoughts. "Gentlecolts first~?"
I stepped back, wholly unprepared. "M-me? W-why?"
"Because we made you go last in the other game." She pursed her lips and nodded.
"O-oh, um, th-thanks?" I moved towards the target, turning to position it behind me. "S-so, I, um, kick it?"
Dusky grinned. "Yep. Give it a good old-fashioned buck."
Merri cheered out. "Crush it beneath the power of your hooves!" I only wished she stopped there, but she giggled and added. "Work those thighs~!"
"R-right..." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I wound up my hind legs, first one, than the other. I tried to imagine myself up in the sky breaking up another wayward cloud. "Um, here goes!"
I kicked out, feeling my hooves impact the target behind me. But unlike a cloud, it didn't give way. I quickly stumbled forward, cringing slightly as my bandaged wing tried to unfold on instinct. I reined the other side in, keeping it closed as I tried to regain my balance.
Merri let out a low whistle. "Not bad~."
I smiled, finally getting my legs back together. "R-really?"
"You did get a prize." Blizzard pointed towards the target line. "Can't argue with that."
My grin widened as I imagined the big Daring Do plush again. "Oh, w-wow." I looked up, noting that I'd only managed to clear the lowest level and felt a pang of disappointment, but the thrill of winning was still there.
"Your turn, Dusky~." Merriweather lowered her muzzle to nudge her forward.
"Heh, okay, just don't expect anything spectacular." She stepped forward to the target, and I paused to watch before getting my prize. She stretched for a moment with a lithe grace that made me smile.
She struck, shouting out with a loud. "Hiya!" She cracked the target dead center, but the ringer fell just short of the prize line I'd managed to clear.
I grinned awkwardly, not sure what to say. I wanted to say something encouraging, but not sound dismissive of her attempt. "U-um, that looked p-pretty g-good." I looked down at the snow, pawing at it with a hoof.
"Yeah, it was." She didn't sound upset. I slowly looked back to see her smiling. "I told you not to expect anything spectacular."
Merriweather waved a hoof. "Pfff, you're so modest~. I bet if Sis' were here, she'd be going off about how it's not about how powerful your hips are, it's about how you use them~."
Dusky snorted. "In those exact words?"
"Oh, she'd probably use stuffier language, but it's all the same, right~?"
Blizzard smirked. "Sure, let's go with that."
I stepped away as Merri took her turn. I moved over to the Carnie by the side of the booth and stuttered, pointing towards the prizes. "I, um... w-won... er... something?"
He pulled one of the flimsy plastic helmets from the wall, spinning it from the tip of one hoof, to other. At last, dropped the prize, catching it in both hooves and presenting it to me. "You sure did, son. That was a great kick, if I do say so. If you aimed a little higher, I think you could hit the bell, if you care to try again?"
I grinned awkwardly, shaking my head as I took the prize. "Oh um... th-that's okay. Th-thank you." I turned back to the group, holding the little plastic pith helmet, just like the one on the plush toy Merri had given Dusky. It wasn't quite a giant plushie, but still, it was something.
I came up from her side, smiling wide as I held the helmet out. Blizzard and Merri watched her, but Dusky seemed preoccupied, her attention divided between them and something else in the crowd. It was perfect. I lifted the helmet up and pressed it down on her head.
Her response was not what I expected at all. Her wings shot outward. She spun in place, buffeting my face and pushing me back. I flailed at the sudden assault, unsure how to respond, and when I opened my eyes again, I found her forehoof inches from my muzzle.
"Nice moves~." I heard Merri say, but I was too focused on Dusky's hoof.
I tried to keep the smile on my face, but I'd obviously screwed up somehow. I started to step backwards, lowering my head. I tried to keep my eyes on her, but couldn't meet her gaze, instead shifting beyond her to stare at the sky.
Dusky looked up, poking at the helmet. Her cheeks turned red, and her eyes bored through me. "Did you really just do that after what happened with Merriweather?"
After what happened with...? I thought back. The lunge in the alley, Dusky striking at Merri. Something was off. I shifted about. "I.. I, um... wanted to s-surprise you."
She shook her head, her voice strained. "Well, you surprised me, all right."
I sighed, looking up at Dusky, but her eyes suddenly darted to the side, watching something out of the corner of her eye. I turned my head to look, seeing a basket toss game across the street from where we stood.
Dusky turned her head, looking back and forth carefully.
I gave a nervous laugh, not really sure what she was looking for, and not sure what was happening. There was a growing sense of unease in my gut, watching her. She looked concerned, and about far more than just an ill-timed surprise. "W-well... um, mission accomplished?"
She turned back to look at me, a wry smile crossing her face. "Haha, yeah... real funny. Just don't do it again."
"O-oh..." I nodded, breaking from her gaze. I shouldn't have snuck up on her. It had been a silly notion, and now, that look in her eyes... there was something else going on here. I didn't know what was going through her head at that moment, but I needed to respect her. I swore to myself not to surprise her like that again.
My voice stuttered again as I tried to leave that awkward moment. "Um, s-so what next?"
Blizzard moved over to give her suggestion. "Have you been to the knitting expo yet?"
"That was the original plan," Dusky turned to her and smiled. She pointed towards the game booth. "But like I said, we've been distracted."
"Then I'll show you the short route." Blizzard laughed, turning to lead on. "Maybe we can get you there before it closes."
Dusky nodded. "One can only hope."
We soon moved through the crowd on the way to town hall. Blizzard led the way as I tried to keep up with her quick pace.
She looked back over her wing with a wink to me. "Well, how's the date going?"
I blushed, quickly looking back at Dusky, who had dropped behind to talk with Merri. I picked up the pace to come alongside Blizzard. "It um... it's... fine. N-not a date. We're just friends."
She giggled. "Riiiiiight. Just friends. But you're having fun, right?"
Despite Merri and the awkwardness and everything else, I smiled. I was having fun. "I... yeah. Yeah, I am."
"And she is too?"
I looked back at Dusky, still wearing the pith helmet. The Daring Do plush toy peeked out from her scarf, and I grinned. "I... I think so. I hope so..."
Blizzard spread a wing out to settle across my back. "You two are cute together. Just keep being yourself, and you'll figure it out."
Be yourself. I lowered my head just a bit, trying to figure out who that should be. We kept walking, but Blizzard stopped, prodding me with her wing before she pulled it back to her side.
I looked up. The fading sunlight glinted off a series of ponies frozen in time. A fence stopped us from getting closer, but we could see into the pavilion, and the numerous ice sculptures set-up throughout. They sparkled under the warm orange glow, the ice filled with captured color. All I could do was look up and gape. "W-wow..."
"Ooo, snazzy~." Merriweather stepped on behind us, but I just nodded dumbly.
Blizzard looked out past the fence. "The sculptors have been working pretty hard all day, but most of them aren't quite done. You going to be back tomorrow?"
Dusky trotted up besides us, eyes fixed on the ice as well. "Wish I could, but I've only got one day off. Gonna have to sleep the afternoon if I want to be able-bodied for my shift."
I cringed. They weren't even finished, and my injury was preventing Dusky from seeing them in their full glory. I cursed myself again and awkwardly dug into the snow.
"Huh, that's too bad." Blizzard snorted. "Wish that idiot hadn't messed things up for you."
Part of me wanted to blame Merri, and the other part to blame myself. Hard to tell which of us had been the bigger idiot that night. I strained my wing against the bandages and sighed. I'd have voted for myself.
Dusky's voice pulled me up. "Yeah, well, I've still been enjoying myself, so no sense dwelling on it."
I smiled and lifted my head. Dusky and Blizzard continued talking, but Dusky's eyes were still glued to the sculptures. First the Waterfall and then the ice sculptures. But still, the best part of the trip was sitting back and watching her.
We soon moved past the sculptures, continuing down the road. Soon, we came within sight of the entrance to the town hall. It was a large structure bearing some resemblance to Ponyville’s own town hall.
"Well, there it is." Blizzard stepped aside. "Just head straight and you'll be there in no time."
Dusky frowned. "You're not coming?"
She shook her head. "I need to make sure the sculptures are all set for the night. I'll catch up with you later." She unfurled her wings and gave a quick salute, then pushed off into the air.
Merriweather clapped her hooves loudly against the road. "What are we waiting for? There's knitting to be had~!" Without another word she charged ahead towards the entrance.
"Um..." I blinked, then glanced over at Dusky, still unsure just what to think of Merri's behaviors.
She smiled back, giving a shrug. "We're here; might as well."
---
The main room of the town hall was busier than I would have guessed. There were tables covered in socks and hats and scarves of every size and color. Ponies browsed through the goods, while behind the tables the vendors either bartered with customers, or were busy crafting more goods.
Merriweather's figure stood out in the hall, not just from her slightly larger frame, but also her frenzied shopping spree as she dashed from vendor to vendor. We caught up with her as she purchased a red scarf, gently nuzzling against it. "Mmmm, so soft~. I'll take it!"
I looked up at the levitating circle of knitting that orbited her head, the newly purchased scarf joining the ring of wool as she gave the vendor her bits. "W-wow, um... she really l-likes knitting."
Dusky walked alongside as we followed Merri. "We all have our interests. Some are just simpler than others."
"I-I know, b-but I..." I shrugged, trying to picture Merri sitting at a table, levitating two long knitting needles. "I guess I can't th-think of knitting as a very kn-knightly thing."
"People are more than their job. For instance, I like Daring Do, which has nothing to do with weather. And surely you must have something else you like."
I tapped my hooves together. "U-um, well, there's t-tea... I, um, m-make my own."
Dusky nodded. "There you go."
These craftsponies were incredible, the skill behind each and every hoof- and magic-crafted item made every piece a work of art. I knew from my own experience, each was a little piece of the pony who'd made it.
I glanced at Dusky's scarf, wondering just how much of herself she'd poured into making that. It was a beautiful piece, expertly crafted with an obvious attention to detail. My eyes wandered to her cutie mark. I’d seen it before, but never considered it. A pencil within a six-toothed gear. What did it mean? How had she gotten it? Just more questions about her I was realizing I didn't have the answers to.
I took a deep breath, about to ask her when she let out a quiet yawn, cutting off my question before it began. Instead, I asked. "T-tired?"
She smiled softly and nodded. "Getting there. I think it might be time to head back."
"Um, o-okay. S-sorry..." I bowed my head down, trying again not to dwell on why she so tired.
Dusky called out ahead of us. "Hey, Merriweather. We're thinking about going home. You coming?"
"Huh?" The nearly complete ring of wool encircling Merri's head parted enough for her to look out at us. "Oh, no, there's still so much to see. You two go on ahead~." She made eyes at us and winked before the opening closed again, Merri moving onward in her quest for knit goods.
"See you later." Dusky rolled her eyes at Merri, then smiled at me as we turned to head out.
---
We crossed beneath the archway well after Celestia had set the sun. The path back to the train station was now only lit by the firefly-filled street lamps, and from the moon watching out over the festival. We walked slowly in the brisk night air.
Dusky broke the silence, her breath crystallizing in the air before her as we walked. "I'd almost forgotten what peace and quiet is like."
I smiled, nodding. "So many ponies a-and then um... Merri. She's f-fun and all, but, um, this is n-nice. Th-thanks again... for c-covering and c-coming with me. I d-don't think I c-could have done this on my o-own."
She returned the smile. "Hey, it's what us shift workers and friends do."
"S-still... I appreciate it." We continued to walk down the low-lit path, and I considered how the day had gone. I'd had fun. But there was that nagging thought, still in my mind. "Y-you know... I was really nervous about today."
Dusky tilted her head. "Really? Why?"
"I-I didn't know if I'd be able to, um, r-relax with all th-those ponies around. A-and then my wing and I... I j-just really wanted it to be a good day."
"Well, I'm glad—" She stopped, her brow furrowing at something.
I slowed to a stop as well, tilting my head. "What is it?"
Her attention was turned ahead of us. A large stallion in an ill-fitting cloak wandered out of a nearby alley. He staggered in a fashion not unlike I'd seen Mahogany or Terrabona when they'd had a few too many whiskey shots. He lurched forward before stopping in the middle of our path.
I saw Dusky tense immediately. I gave the stallion my full attention, and something started to play through my mind. An oft-considered fantasy.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" He leered at us, staring at Dusky. "A pretty little mare."
I blinked. It was almost eerie, but... I knew what I had to do. "O-oh, excuse us, sir, we're just o-on our way to the train s-station." I stepped forward to put myself between Dusky and the drunk.
He barely looked away from Dusky, shouting me down. "Shut up, boy! I ain't talkin' ta you!"
I started to shrink back, my mouth open, but the fire rose in my chest. I took another step forward. "W-well, I'm afraid we're travelling t-together and we have to be on our way."
He laughed, but seemed to otherwise ignore me, his focus entirely on Dusky. "Say, why don't you ditch this sorry excuse for a stallion and let me show you a good time?" The disrespect! I seethed.
Dusky's voice rose up, remaining steady, calm. "And if I say no?"
I drew closer to the drunk, the scenario playing out before me so similar to what had happened in my mind time after time.
He smirked, a look that made me shudder. "Then maybe you just need a little... persuasion."
What would Mint do? Old memories came to the fore, my body responded to repeated drills and preparations from long ago. "I don't think the lady is particularly interested. Why not just head on home?"
He laughed again. "Lemme think... 'ow about no!"
"Well, I don't intend to back down either." My legs fell into a stance I'd thought I'd forgotten. I took a deep breath, wholly unsure of what I was doing, but at the same time never more sure. I knew that I had to defend Dusky.
I wouldn't have to sacrifice myself for her. I would defend her. I'd be a hero without getting myself hurt like before.
And as my determination steeled, everything suddenly moved at once. A startled curse came from behind me. I began to move my head back towards the noise, but it was then that the drunkard charged.
I turned my attention towards him. He came at me like a train, but I gave a quick leap out of his way. As he slipped by, hooves skidding in the snow, I lashed out, kicking with a rear hoof into his side.
He gave out a muffled cry, stumbling to the side before he regained his posture. He rumbled, a low laugh. "Ahahaha! He's got some spunk!" He lumbered towards me slowly now, grinning.
He was bigger than me, stronger for sure. I'd been around Mahogany enough to realize that he was surely no drunken festival-goer. My wing strained beneath its bandaging, although the other side was still free. I wanted to throw them open and give myself more maneuverability, but
A voice intruded upon my thoughts. The bracer! Put it on! I recalled Merri's gift, resting carefully in my flight satchel, but there was no time to get it out, let alone wonder why I'd think of it now.
He was coming closer, taking his time now. My ears twitched at the sounds of violence behind me. I had to finish this and get to Dusky. With her in my mind, I took the initiative back and charged the stallion.
He gave me that wicked grin, and lowered his head to charge back. I prepared to jump, and as he came for me, I dodged right, then lunged with my forehooves out.
I connected, punching at him with as much force as I could manage. I struck at his head, and it pulled back.
Too late, I saw he wasn't pulling back from the blow, but with a smile. He threw his head forward, headbutting me with the force of a thrown boulder. My forehooves went up at the last moment, but the impact crushed me, throwing me down.
I rolled along the rough ground, feeling the cold snow and loose gravel cut at me. I cringed, coughing as I tried to catch my breath. My bandaged wing felt like it was aflame. It was warm and wet, but I didn't have time to notice. I heard Dusky cry out and felt a surge of panic, but old training quelled it. The sound of hooves smashing through snow drowned out everything else, and I found my opponent standing over me.
I scrambled away as he dropped his forehooves where I’d lain. I pushed myself back up onto all fours, turning quickly to assault him. I punched with my hooves again and again, but it was like hitting a brick wall.
He lashed out with his hooves to return every punch I gave him. This had become an endurance fight, the last thing I'd wanted, and I was losing fast. He delivered a heavy strike to my jaw, forcing me to twist aside. He grinned, bringing his forehooves down together into my bandaged side with wicked glee.
I bit my tongue to cut off the scream, the taste of blood in my mouth. The opening was right there, but I struggled to maintain consciousness. In that moment, I acted, letting the momentum carry me. My good wing unfurled, quickly beating against the stallion. He turned his head away from the sudden buffet. I let my flapping pivot me back in a tight semi-circle, straining as I brought my rear hooves against his head.
He collapsed into the snow, and I landed as best I could, my one open wing doing its best to keep me steady while I regained my balance. I glanced at the stallion. He wasn't getting back up.
There was no time to rest, I turned back in search of Dusky, terrified of what I'd find. This had been some kind of planned mugging, and the sounds of violence I'd heard could only be other attackers, striking at Dusky while I'd be dealing with first stallion.
I found her, thankfully still alive, and so much more than alive. She stood, bathed in the low street and gentle moon lights. The pieces came together in a flash of insight. Her lunge at Merri outside the diner, and the reaction when I'd tried to surprise her. She was not the helpless victim I'd pictured, instead, she was a terrifying, glorious battle maiden. She stood triumphant over one attacker, her wings open and pointed forward. A glint caught my eye, drawing my attention to a blade mounted at the joint of one wing.
She faced a third stallion, and I found myself transfixed as he charged. She charged in turn, and as they approached one another, she juked to the side, slashing with her wing. They stopped, turning back to stare at one another.
Her opponent hesitated, his flank cut up by her wingblade. He stepped back nervously before he turned and ran off into the dark.
I broke out of my awe, rushing up to Dusky to help pursue the assailant. "Hey!"
"No! Stop!" My hooves ground to a halt as Dusky called after me.
"Don't—don't chase. There could be more." She was breathing heavily as she looked back, glancing around the street. "The other one, where did he go?"
I sighed, nodding. "He's right—" The bloodied furrow of snow where he'd dropped was empty. "Huh? He's... he's gone!"
Dusky quickly took in the situation and snorted. "Damn. We need to move, before they bring back more of their friends." She turned her attention to me, eyeing me quickly. "Did you drop anything? We can't leave anything behind."
I shook my head "No. I..." I watched Dusky retrieve her now-mangled Daring Do helmet and the plush toy Merri had given her. She was covered in bruises, a line of blood trailing from her mouth. My eyes went wide. "I, D-Dusky, are you okay? You're bleeding..."
She turned to me, tilting her head as she came closer. "Am I okay? I'm just a little bruised. You look like you just had a drawer full of knives dumped on you."
As I stood there, the fight began to catch up with me, and I began to feel more like Dusky’s description. She looked at me in concern, the two of us beneath the street lights, and suddenly I saw her for the first time. The damsel that needed saving was gone. She was capable and strong and just as beautiful, if not more so.
I leaned in closer. "D-Dusky, I..." I love you. I stopped myself in time and pulled my head back. We're just friends. Just friends.
Her expression darkened as she stared me down. "Night Flurry."
I tried to nod, pulling back further, my face going red. "I-I... S-sorry, I..."
"I'm going to call that adrenaline and let it slide. Now, let's get out of here."