//------------------------------// // Chapter Two My first autograph // Story: Cracked Horn and Ribbons: The story of Evening Dream // by guard1ans //------------------------------// I'm hoping that writing this down with help me stay calm. I haven't been on rails since the accident. Mrs. Cake packed me a hole punch of sweets and a really nice note and of all things, a shopping list. She asked me to pick up a few things while I'm in Canterlot from her sister Black Forest as well as some supplies she can't get in Ponyville. She arranged me to stay there in a bedroom above the family bakery while I'm there. It was so sweet of her. I don't know how many times I thanked her. She just gave me a hug and told me to watch for any bad ponies. Canterlot is a lot bigger and busier than home. It's alright though. I was born there. The royal city is where I grew up. Ma moved her after her and my dad met at Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. My Dad was a born suburbanite and my mom, was from a family of jewel miners. I think Mr. Cake mentions my grandpa sometimes and I think he has a plaque or something in town hall. He was one of the founders before he passed away. Rumor was that he and The Apple family matriarch, Granny Smith, had a fling 'fore he met my Granny. I have no clue. I've....I'm kinda embarrassed to find out. Anyway, She gave me a picture of the bakery and of her sister. She was a beautiful charcoal with red cherry hair. I'll stick out like a sore thumb next to her. Mr. Cake gave me a goodbye hug at the trainstation and told me that he'll get someone to look after Knight and the house while I was gone. Oh! someone just sat across from me. Best I be polite and try to make friends. Or not. I think its one of the princess' friends. I just have to pre- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Evening Dream's quill stopped short as Rarity cleared her throat. "I know you." "N-No you don't!" The pale pony said from behind her scroll writing. Her horn started to hurt. "Yes I do. You stop by my boutique a few times for hair ribbons. I never forget a face or...." The other unicorn tried to poke her head around the parchment. "Cloth as it were. What is your name again?" Evening rolled up the floating piece of paper just as her magic wore out and it fell to the floor and unfurled under the seat. Her quill floated to the floor as she touched her horn gingerly. "Oh my are you alright?" "Y-es!Yes! Just...Just a headache. My name is Evening Dream." Rarity's eye sparkled. "Evening Dream? As in the same Evening Dream that writes those lovely poems and heartwarming stories in the Equestrian Mare?" Oh right...She forgot about her job for a second there. "Yes, Ma'am." Evening answered and The unicorn shoved a copy of the said magazine in her face. "You must simply sign my copy. I love your work!" Evening blushed harder and tried to levitate her quill back up. It raised its head a few time before tapping back to the floor. Dream sighed and picked it up and signing it with her mouth in the best handwriting she could manage.She gave her first autograph a passing glance. Not bad. She didn't give herself enough credit. All those hours of practicing her hoof writing paid off. She sat the quill down next to her and rarity took a look and squealed with delight. "How simply marvelous, I'm going to hang this on my wall!" Oh dear sweet Celestia don't let it be in the boutique. Don't let it be in the boutique. "Your welcome Rarity." Evening said as the other unicorn put it in her bag. "So where are you headed to?" "Canterlot." Rarity's eyes sparkled brightly. "Really? I'm going there to pick up a few fabrics. What are you going for?" "To celebrate my birth-" "Really!" She pulled Dream into a hug. "You simply must let me help you celebrate your birthday. You must know hundreds of ponies in Canterlot. Your birthday has to be a gala!" "I'm going there to visit my parents' grave." Dream told Rarity flatly. The unicorn's face fell. "Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry. At least let me help you celebrate." "Miss Rarity, I don't know hundreds of ponies. I barely talk to the magazine editor. I....I haven't had a birthday party since....Since the accident." Rarity put a hoof on her shoulder. "Well you know me, Evening Dream. I'm good at pulling strings too. Just tell me where you'll be staying and I'll set everything up." "You don't have to Miss Rarity." "Nonsense. We're friends and friends help celebrate." Friends. She had never heard that in a long time.