Little Hooves in a Dark World

by David Silver

19 - Recover

They walked into the plaza, and Sandra was pleased by the sight. It was a large courtyard of some kind of white stone, perhaps marble. Stone lanterns lined the outer rim of the plaza, the flames inside dancing slowly with the gentle breeze. "Check this out." Louis waved around the area with a glad smile. "You don't see this very often."

Sandra nodded in agreement. "Yep, this place is great." She moved further into the plaza, looking around at everything, gaze straying up to the sky. "Not a lot of people around either."

Louis chuckled softly. "Yeah, it's pretty quiet out. Why do you think I brought you here? You know, if you want to go flying..."

Sandra squeaked. "Now you're spoiling me." But instead of considering the idea, she closed in on him instead, hugging lightly. "Not right this second though."

Louis smiled at her. "What are you thinking right now, then? Your thoughts are always interesting."

Sandra held her hands over his heart, gazing up at him, into his eyes. "I'm thinking I didn't pick too badly for my first real partner. I'm thinking this world sucks sometimes, but we're still kicking. I'm thinking..." She paused to take in a slow breath, and then released it in a sigh. "I'm thinking about how lucky we are."

Louis returned her smile. "I think so too. In a crazy sort of way, we're very lucky, and not just because I'm here."

Sandra giggled softly. "You know what I mean, silly." Then she pulled him closer and pressed a kiss to his lips.

They were soft, gentle, and oh-so warm. His body heat radiated from every inch, surrounding her in his embrace.

She let the kiss linger for some moments, eyes drifting shut as she pressed against him.

"Hey." Proving the plaza wasn't entirely abandoned, another person was just wandering past. He gave them a wave. "Get a room!"

The two lovers broke apart with soft chuckles.

Sandra blushed slightly, glancing away. "I think that guy has the right idea." She elbowed Louis gently. "We should get a room."

Louis nodded slowly. "Yes, but..." He glanced up at the stars above. "I don't think we should go back home just yet."

She tilted her head. "What did you have in mind? I'm starting to feel chilly out here."

Louis smiled. "Come on. I'll take you somewhere nice." He offered his hand.

Sandra took it gently and followed after him. She wasn't quite sure where he was leading her, but it was nice to be out with Louis. She was willing to go where the night took them. The two walked together out of the plaza and along the sidewalk.

"Are you alright?" Louis reached out to touch her shoulder. "If something's bothering you, I want to know."

"A lot is bothering me." She leaned against him. "I had things pretty stable, thought I was in a nice comfy little rut. Then, you know, being stalked, on to strange new friends, strange new hats—" She reached up for her hat, still stuck to her. "—Cute but maybe dangerous canines, and on to being kicked out of the second new home in as many weeks."

Louis hugged her gently, pausing their walk. "I'm sorry."

She leaned into his hug. "Not your fault, Lucky. We're just living in interesting times." She patted his hand. "I must have annoyed someone in a past life or something. But we're stuck with the world we're in. At least I can make the most of it."

Louis gestured ahead. "That's where we're headed." Up the road was a quaint little cafe, with outdoor seating and warm golden light spilling through the windows.

Sandra peered at the sign overhead. "The Golden Grind. Interesting name."

Louis nodded. "It's pretty good. I come here once in a while, but never with you, until now."

"Let's try it out then." She walked in front of him, taking in a slow breath. "Oh, it smells nice. Like coffee and... chocolate? My favorite." She took a seat near the window.

A waitress moved towards them with purpose. "Welcome! Louis, when did you get a girl?"

Louis shrugged. "It's been a few weeks, actually. We're pretty happy, too."

She beamed. "Good for you! What can I get for you two?"

Sandra hummed softly, glancing over the menu. "What do you suggest for a first timer? I'm fairly open-minded."

The waitress nodded, rattling off some names that went right over Sandra's head. "Um... I'll just go with a hot chocolate." She handed over the menu.

The waitress turned to Louis. He knew exactly what he wanted, ordering without delay. "Thanks."

"No problem. Be right back." The waitress wandered into the back of the store, leaving the couple alone again.

Louis looked over at her with a gentle smile. "So, what do you think?"

"The atmosphere is relaxed, and the smell is great, unless you're trying to avoid chocolate." She smirked at him. "After all that, their chocolate better be good."

"One of the best around, I swear." Louis chuckled as the waitress came out and placed the hot drinks in front of the duo. "Thank you."

Sandra blew on hers, watching the surface ripple gently before taking a sip. She sighed contentedly. "Mmm, color me pleasantly surprised."

Louis' lips quirked up. He was quiet, but he didn't seem to want to break the moment of silence.

Sandra put down the cup and reached for a tiny brown packet of sweetener, only for her hand to brush against Louis's. She hesitated a moment, just to curl her finger around his hand. "Hey."

Louis smiled back at her. "Hey." His fingers curled around hers in turn. "You seem pretty relaxed."

She nodded. "The world is weird, and my day hasn't felt right since that strange inspector came into Jay's place. But being here, with you, right now? That feels nice." Her smile was warm and honest. "We have good drinks, a good atmosphere..." Her eyes danced around the small cafe with its wooden tables and dark green accents. The smell of coffee beans and chocolate hung in the air. "We should come here more often."

Louis hummed softly as he sipped at his own cup. "Glad you like it so far."

Sandra sighed contentedly, then looked down at her drink. "It's getting late."

"It is." He took a bite of the sandwich he had ordered. "Want to head back, get some sleep?"

Sandra licked the froth from her upper lip and nodded. "Sounds good. I don't think Raspberry is up for much in the way of fun right now. She's been acting up, more than usual, all day."

Louis poked Sandra in the shoulder. "You are Raspberry. Just feeling restless?"

She reached up to her head, feeling the hat atop it. "Yeah. Maybe." Her fingers traced the brim. "I don't think it's me, though. It feels like something else. Maybe my hat." Her lips pursed. "So, ever have a cursed hat before?"

Louis winced. "Can't say I have."

Sandra tugged at the brim gently. "Come on. Let's go home." She rose from her seat, offering a hand to Louis.

Louis held up a hand and hurried to the front counter to settle the bill before he rushed back to her side. "Don't want to dine and dash at one of my fave places."

She snickered. "Nah, that's not something you're known for." She nudged him gently. "Let's go home, okay?"

Louis led the way out the door. They walked in companionable quiet through the streets. As crazy as things had been, there was some amount of healing to be had in the simple mundanity of talking home with one's special someone.

***

They stepped into Louis' place and Sandra sighed as she dropped her coat on the table. "Home sweet home."

Louis chuckled at that. "Welcome to my humble abode."

She turned and patted his shoulder. "Thanks for today. You're really good at calming me down."

Louis offered her a small nod and smile in return. "No problem. You're there to cheer people up. I'm the steadying rock." He gestured inside. "I have a room on the left with my computer. Not as fancy as Jay's, but you should be able to stream when you feel like it. My room is the one right next to that, so if you ever need me, don't hesitate to knock."

Sandra smiled. "Thanks. I'm probably going to go for a nap, then do something with my channel." She paused. "Also, it's not really your room right now."

"Oh?" He looked down the hallway at the door. "Why not?"

"Because it's our room right now, unless you're pushing me into another one?" Her smile was warm, and she leaned against him for that moment. "If you want, I'll sleep elsewhere, but I'd prefer not to."

Louis chuckled softly, his hand drifting up to stroke through her hair. "Of course not. If you're alright being with me, I'm not sending you away." He pecked her forehead. "I'll count myself lucky that a pegasus decided to keep me company." He grinned as she blushed, looking away. "Now, go get some rest. I'll get dinner started in an hour or so."

She yawned as she stepped towards the hallway. Stepping through Louis' house, she pressed into his bedroom and paused. It smelled of him, a musky, earthy scent that permeated the room. The bed was fairly simple in appearance, white sheets over a firm mattress. The room had no other furniture, merely a large bed, some windows, and a carpeted floor.

Sandra turned in surprise, just to almost bump into the drawers. They were hiding right by the door. "Oh." She moved past them to step onto the carpet. "This is comfy."

She yawned a second time as she pulled back the covers, then slipped beneath. The pillow was soft, and she nuzzled into it, eyes falling shut.

The next thing she knew was being nuzzled by something warm and soft. She cracked an eye to see Louis in Lucky form, nosing at her. "Hello there, cutie."

Lucky shook his head slightly, mane brushing against her face. He was large enough to loom over her with ease, yet gentle as could be in his affection.

Sandra sighed and hugged around his neck, pulling him down. "You know, I'm not supposed to be the sleepy one, but you're so comfortable. What time is it?"

Lucky's lips brushed her ear. "Dinner time." He nipped gently at the same ear. "Unless you'd rather it be cuddle time, but then dinner will get cold on us."

"Sounds like cuddles are best for dessert." She rubbed his neck and then let go. "Alright." She yawned cutely and stretched out under the blankets. "What did you make?"

He smiled fondly. "You like chicken?"

She nodded lightly, rubbing at her eyes as she sat up. "I do. Please tell me it's roast chicken."

"Hey." He hopped to the ground, resuming being Louis. "Did you spy on me?"

Sandra laughed gently as she got to her feet and hugged him. "Nope. I just love this smell, and it reminded me of a good home-cooked meal." She stepped past him into the hall.

In the dining room, the chicken awaited them. The aroma was amazing, and Sandra couldn't help but inhale deeply and grin at him. "This smells amazing, Lucky."

Louis smiled. "Let's hope it tastes just as good." He slid in across from her at the small table. "I have some salad fixings if you want one too."

"No thanks. Not tonight." She reached for the chicken, to cut herself a piece of breast meat and some leg. "Mmm, this looks really juicy." She brought it to her plate and took a quick bite, and her face lit up. "Mmm, just as promised." She took a second bite, her expression one of bliss. "Thank you. Today started so rough, but you gave me such a perfect little landing pad to fall onto."

Louis chuckled. "I'm glad you're happy. You deserve that." He also picked himself some chicken and began to eat.

The meal was nice and relaxed. It wasn't anything fancy, not even served in an impressive manner. Despite that, they both looked quite pleased to be there, with each other.

Author's Note:

Sometimes you just need to decompress a little.

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Comments

[Amethyst Dragonfly]

A nice, uneventful, relaxing day is always a good thing.

[dlambchic]

Everybody loves chicken, even ponies.

[Twinkie Sprinkle]

Yum.

"I feel like chicken tonight."

[David Silver]

12033584

12033197
Some well-made chicken can put a smile on a lot of faces.

[Twinkie Sprinkle]

12033675

Very very true.

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