
>A swift breeze of air ripped through you, sending a shiver down your body.
>It was expected this time of year, but that didn't make you any more prepared.
>You'd forgot to wear a cloak this when you set out, but you didn't care, just had to get out of the house!
>School had let out for the early fall Harvest Festival, and you were out of your mind!
>You didn't have many friends you could hang out with. You had some when you were younger, but you were almost a full grown mare now and all your friends just seemed so immature... So you decided to spend your free time bettering yourself by studying or reading
>You turned the corner, heading to your favorite bookstore.
>Damn it was a long walk, but it was worth it. The feeling of walking through those huge cedar doors, the smell of the old, well-cared-for books, the warmth of the fire that was safely confined away from the books...
>Just the thought filled you with anticipation!
>The afternoon air was much more pleasant than when you'd left home earlier, true it was still a little chilly, but the conflicting temperatures were one of the reasons autumn was your favorite season. You're mother would kill you if she knew you were out before night fall.
>The floor of falling leaves playfully crunched with each step, bringing a smile to your face. 
>Just because you were grown up didn't mean you couldn't enjoy the little things. 
>Your mind drifted, losing yourself in the beautiful scenery, watching the leaves dance as the wind picked up. 
>A light rain began to fall, the first of the season.
>You decided to ride the train the rest of the way, not wanting to get your coat wet.
>That's when you first saw her, behind the swirl of soft brown colors.
>Her cold, dark colors clashed against the warmth of the scenery. Her mane barely moved in the wind, far too short to really have weight to it. Even her bright eyes seemed out of place, her dark eyelashes making the magenta pop.
>She had a solid black outfit, clothes themselves not unheard of in this area, but something of that color was shocking. She wore a long cloak, the ends flicking in the wind, the cloth pressed up against her faintly muscular frame.  
>Everything about her made your hair stand on end.
>You were in love.

>Nervously you approached this menacing pony. You just HAD to know more about her!
>Taking your seat on the middle of the the bench, you put a respectable distance between you two.
>She barely acknowledged you, her eyes fixed off in the distance as she drew a puff of what you think is a cigarette.
>She didn't really seem to enjoy it, it was more like an accessory to her, part of her image.
>You'd never smoked in your life, and rarely were around anypony who did, the strange bitter smell started burning your lungs.
>Bothered, you scooted to the end of the bench, trying to avoid the smell the best you could. It didn't really make that much of a difference.
>You stifled your cough the best you could, not wanting to bother her.
>She let out a small laugh as the cough escaped your muzzle. 
>You stared furiously as she took a long drag, a malicious grin forming on her face.
>You were damn near ready to smack her until she dropped it and put it out with her hoof, savoring that last exhale. 
>You gave a weak smile. You wanted to thank her but you really couldn't think of what to say.
~

NW
>The wind picked up, causing the strange young mare to shiver, rubbing her hooves together.
>You silently wished you'd brought a thicker cloak, not for you, but so you could offer it to her.
>You didn't know why, but something about her just invoked your caring side. 
>She looked fairly mature, yet her soft features hidden under her rough fur betrayed her childlike innocence.
>An old mare started your direction, causing the mare to scoot closer to make room. 
>The old mare passed right on by the bench, but the mare remained in her seat. You leaned against her, sharing your warmth with the young pony. 
>She looked away, embarrassed.

~
>Your heart raced for what felt like an eternity, before you nervously scooted back to your side. 
>As the warmth escaped your body you wished you could lean back against her, but it was far too awkward to try.
>A bitter cold wind swept through the stop, mocking you.
>Without warning a warm hoof brushed up against her side, wrapping around her back.
>The mare spoke for the first time.
>"Come on, the train's late and it's far to cold to be waiting out here for it. Do you want to go grab some coffee to help you warm up?
"Sure"
>You replied without giving it a second thought.
>You hardly knew this mare, and to be honest you didn't even drink coffee, but something about her just made you feel at ease.
>Shielding your eyes from the rain you follow your companion into the storm.

>You'd lived in this town all your life, and yet it still held secrets, little hidde pathways and roads to nowhere.
>This was the first time you've ever been down one.
>Bracing to see the town's dark, sketchy underbelly, you were pleasantly surprised to see a small strip mall, with a salon, several little niche stores, and a cozy looking little coffee shop.
>It was strange, modern looking on the outside, it's cold yet welcoming stone fitting in nicely with the rest of Hollow Shades,  yet the inside was a more traditional brown with light pastel colors, much like you'd find in Ponyville, a nearby Earth Pony town.
>It had a nice feel to it, more like someone's home than an actual coffee shop.
>More importantly, it was warm.
>Entering the door you were shocked by the unfamiliar scent of coffee and warm milk. It wasn't a bad smell, but strange, and intoxicating.
>Having only drank coffee twice before in your life, you had the older mare order for you while you went to find a seat.
>She returned with some drinks and a couple of banana muffins, and sat down to chat.
>Over the course of five or so cups, well, just one for you, you and your shadowy companion get to know each other a little better.
>She was a fair bit older than you, training in the guard and taking day classes at HSU. She was studding law, though that was more so something her mother forced on her, her favorite being her art class.
>Not that she was good at it, she just preferred to hang out with her friends and get away for the dullness of standard lectures. Understandable.
>Her music tastes differed greatly from yours, preferring Cloudsdale Folk-Punk, where as you were more fond traditional Rock. All her favorite band names were too hard to pronounce, or even spell, but you promised to check them out. 

>You told her about yourself, that you really liked the current path you were on, how your education was important to you. 
>But that you kinda wished you had the time and energy for friends and guys. That you really couldn't tell the difference between being lost in your studies and hiding behind them anymore. 
>You don't know if it was the coffee, or how at ease you were with your new friend, but you began spilling your life story in a matter of minutes, to someone you'd met less than a hour ago.
>"So where were ya heading anyway?" She asked, downing her fifth cup.
>Surprisingly it took a few seconds to recall...
>Oh Yeah!
"I was heading to the bookstore. It's my favorite place to kill time."
>"The book store? Oh Celestia you're such a nerd!"
>Nerd. You twitched your ears slightly at the word. 
"So what if I am? Where were you headed?"
>"Eh, nowhere in particular, just trying to enjoy my vacation ya know?" She remarks, trying to get the last few drops out of the cup. "Hey, since you were just going to kill time, why not come hang out at my parents' house?"
"Sure"

>There was no question, you didn't even think twice. You knew it was dangerous to just go to some random pony's house, but at this point you felt like you could trust her. Something about her just made you feel safe, something playful and fun you hadn't really felt since foalhood. 
>It was a pleasant walk, the sun starting to set, the rain letting up. 
>The house wasn't unusual in any way, one of the treetop houses rather than the stone buildings of your neighborhood, but you were familiar with them, your grandmother lived in one at the time, but knowing who lived there made it all the more special. 
>Night Watch's father was out on guard duty, but her mother was there do greet you at the door.
>She looked more like Night's older sister than a parent, but her messy bun and apron betrayed her motherly nature. 
>After quick introductions, you were drug up to your friend's room before her mother could talk your ears off.
>You were surprised by her room, it was completely opposite of what you were picturing. Other than a few band posters the room looked that of an older filly, certainly not that of a young mare. There were plushies on the shelves, the walls were done up in a light blue, everything was frilly and fluffy.
>Noticing your confusion, she spoke up. "Well... I haven't really had the time to redecorate since I've been away, busy with training and classes ya know?"
>You forced a smile, a little unsettled by how childish the room was.
"I-I think it's adorable."
>"Well I think you're adorable" She responded sarcastically, or well at least you think she was being sarcastic. 
>You felt your face redden. It must have been way warmer her house than it felt.... yeah, clearly that was it.
>You flopped down onto her bed, letting out a relaxed sigh.
>The bed was the perfect combination between firmness and softness, her fluffy bed sheets smelled fresh and crisp, clearly maintain even in her absence. 
>Staring up at the ceiling you couldn't help but wonder what it was like to grow up as her. Not that your own childhood wasn't amazing, you just wondered how to mares could have such different lives, and turn out so far from their roots.
>A dark smile crept across Night Watch's face.
>"Well that didn't take long at all~"
"Huh, what didn't take long?"
>"Nothing, nothing at all... How about we change outta these clothes, these are kinda soaked"
>Noticing the dampness from the clothes spreading out onto the bed you practically fly off of it
"O-Oh Luna I'm sooo sorry!"
>"Don't worry kiddo" She grinned, tossing you some clothes.
>You looked at the spooky outfit. Wasn't really your style, but you'd prefer not to run around nude like those damned Ponyville ponies. It was probably the only style she had anyway, so it didn't really matter much.
>She didn't really tell you where to change so you awkwardly stripped down, hoping you weren't crossing some sort of line.
>"Dude, how old ARE you?" She laughed, eyeing you up and down.

>It took a moment for you to figure out what she was getting at.
"Oh.. Oh my.. I didn't really..."
>You flare your wings out backward, hoping to cover your Batmare panties.
>It's not like you'd planned on anyone seeing them today...
>She grinned.
>"Don't worry kid, they suit you!" 
>Your face reddened again, causing you to silently thank Luna for fur!
>You tossed on the hoodie she gave you, shooting her a confused glance when you saw their weren't any pants to change into.
>"Eh, sorry I don't have any thing else, I left most of my clothes back at training camp, the rest being back at my dorm." She stated bluntly, stripping with little regard to your presence.
>Embarrassed you look away, but your curiosity won you over and your eyes wondered back to her changing form.
>You took in the sight, admiring her athletic build and toned backside. It was your first full look at her, and damn was it impressive!
>After she dressed you moved over to the couch while she put on some tunes from one her favorite bands. The music was loud and the words damn near impossible to understand, but the passion behind the music sounded genuine.
>You felt your eyes growing heavy. Not sure if it was the warmness of the heater of the hypnotizing music, you just accepted it and drifted off to sleep.
>You were awoken by a gentle pain coursing through your neck. Eyes flinging ope just in time to see Night Watch retreating to her side of the sofa.
>"S-sorry.." She stammered, biting her lip a bit.
"What do you mean?"
>"You just looked so cute laying there and I kinda.. um.. smelled you a little.."
"Wait what?"
>"And you just smelled so great I.. I might have decided to get a little taste.."
"You drank my blood?!"
>"Maybe felt you up a little" She stated with a grin.
"What the hell Night Watch???"

>"Calm down, that last one was a joke!"
"Wait so did you feed or not?"
>"A little bit, yeah.."
>She nervously looked away, avoiding your gaze"
>"You just looked so cute and I-I just couldn't help myself"
>You practically burned with embarrassment, but strangely enough you weren't really mad about it. Your trust felt a little violated, but the idea of someone finding you irresistible kinda excited you. You never even really considered mares that way before...
>Maybe this dark coated mystery was exactly what you needed in your life right now.
>A strange feeling sparked deep inside you. It was time to see how far you could push this.
"H-How exactly did you feed?" You ask. faking hurt in your voice.
>"I.. kinda kissed you a few times.. and then just sorta.. bit you a little on you neck.."
"Where on my neck?~"
>She motioned to the side of her neck, but you shook your head.
"Show me..."
>"Like, do it again?"
"Why not, you already did it?"
>You lean your head over,  craning your neck for better reach.
>After what seemed like forever you felt her muzzle press against your neck, feeling her hot breath past you fur.
"Don't hesitate now" You teased. 
>You flinched as she broke the skin.
>It was the strangest thing you's ever felt, your warm blood being pulled out of your body, making your breath quicken and your heart skip a beat. 
>You could feel your ears twitch and your body tense up, but you felt an overall sense of calm sweep over you. You weren't really sure how to feel, but you knew you loved it.
>"Yeah, something like that." She said, forcing calm. "Nothing special right"
"Y-Yeah." You stammered, catching your breath.
>"Would you like some more coffee? It's not as good as earlier's, but it's a pretty good blend.."
>Wow, nice subject change Night Watch.
"Sure!"
>You didn't really care either way, you just wanted the room to stop spinning!

>You didn't know how long it took to make coffee, but after 10 minutes you were a little worried. 
>Stepping awkwardly through the strange house, you headed down the hallway and toward the kitchen, finding her at the table with her head on the surface.
"Night Watch! Are you alright!?"
>"Y-Yeah. I was just.. Getting.. And I.."
>Her eyes were red, the fur on her face slightly damp.
"What's wrong?"
"I-I really.. don't know..." She shook her head. "What's going on between us?"
"Well.. I've only know you for a few hours... but I feel like I've known you all my life. At the least I-I say we were close friends... Maybe more"
>"More?"
"I don't really know, I mean we're friends, but I just... don't know"
>She took an long sip of her coffee. "What if we became.... "Something more?""
>You looked away/
"I'm not sure.." 
>Setting the cup down, she wrapped her front legs around you.
>You barely had time to make sense of it before her coffee soaked muzzle was pressed against yours. The fluttery feeling returned, your head spinning a mile per minute. 
>You don't know how long the kiss really lasted, but it felt like an eternity.
>"What about that?"
"I don't know.. I think I liked it"
>And what about... me?" Her voice crackled, painfully searching for an answer.
"I think... I think I like that too."
>She pulled you into a tight hug. "Sorry I'm acting so weird.. it's just you reminded me of my last marefriend Jasmine... and I didn't want to lose you too."
"Last marefriend? S-So am I just her replacement?"
>"No no, nothing like that. She was nothing like you... It's just... I felt something I haven't felt in years. I didn't mean to compare you to her."
"That's fine. I just not really sure what to think right now.. I mean I didn't even know you were.. like that."
>"What, lesbian? Are you not?"
"I'm not sure.. I just never though about mares that way..."
>"Well there's only one way to find out right? How about you sleep on it today, and be over here early nightfall. We can return your clothes and maybe we can go get some coffee or something? Hows that?"
"Sure, just as long as I get to borrow your pants for the walk home. Oh, and you were wrong about one thing."
>"W-what?"
>You grinned.
"That coffee you made was the best thing I've ever tasted."